Dtn 8 5 15

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 7th May 2015.

EXCHANGE RATES Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central (NGN)

GAINERS

Selling(NGN)

LOSERS

US DOLLAR

196

196.5

197

SEPLAT

387

8.00

2.07%

NESTLE

900

-35.75

-3.97%

POUNDS STERLING

298.5472

299.3088

300.0704

ETI

24.55

2.27

9.25%

GUINNESS

160.56

-8.44

-5.26%

178

-1.55

-0.87%

170.15

-0.85

-0.50%

EURO

220.1276

220.6892

221.2507

CAP

39.31

1.87

4.76%

DANGCEM

SWISS FRANC

212.0753

212.6163

213.1573

WAPCO

96

1.50

1.56%

FO

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Fayose lied against me, Buhari– Mu’azu Ï 6Ɔô Ɨƈ Ƌ ƕ Ƌ ƋƆ ƗƆƏè &ƊƈƐƈ 1 ƒƆƏ Ə ƈ ƈ Ɛ

Segun Adio, 1Ə Ƒƍ MƆƓ &ƗƈƐ Ə

ÏÏÏAn end is not in sight

1Ə Ƒƍ L ƈ #ƈƏƆƅƐ Əƃ &Rè ƅƅƆ Ɗ ^Ƌƅè LƏê 6ƆƏƄƆƏƐ zƈ ƓƆ æƾ Ɨ ƋƆƇƐçì ƈƏƌ è LƏê 1ƄƆ RƕƆƄ ƗƆ æƢƏƗ ƋƆƇƐç Ɨ #ƈƏƆƅƐ Ə è LƏ ê L Ƒ ƆƋƋ éRƋƑ æƋƆƇƐçì LƏê &ƌƌ ƑƆƋ ƈƆƉƈ Ɨ LƏ ê RƉƈ ƈ RƋ ƆƏƆ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ƾÕƐ Ƒ Ƌ 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ LƆƆƐƈ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ Ƅ Ɗ ƈ G Č j ƑƏ Ɨ ƕ

Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI

Britain heading for 6 hung parliament

GEJ, NASS suit adjourned till after handover

Jonathan: Buhari won’t cancel rail project

12

to the open feud among the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the May 29 handover date draws near.

Its embattled National Chairman, Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, took to twitter on Thursday to hit back at the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose.

Fayose had on Wednesday claimed that collusion between Mu’azu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) led to the failure of the PDP’s Presidential candidate, Goodluck Jonathan, to secure reelection.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Politics PDP’s dance of death 8

4 Igbo won’t beg for appointments – Ohanaeze

6

2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

Politics Page Three

3

s

Editorial Violence Against Persons’ Prohibition(VAPP) Bill

I

t is good news that after languishing for 13 years in the National Assembly, the Violence Against Persons’ Prohibition (VAPP) Bill has finally been passed by the Senate. Before the recent passage, the House of Representatives had earlier given its consent in 2014. This now gives legal teeth to a law that is billed to eliminate, or reduce to minimum, cases of sexual, domestic and all other forms of gender-based violence in the country.

We cannot but join other Nigerians in commending the National Assembly for the passage of the bill, especially given its place in a modernising society like Nigeria. Statistics show that domestic violence is on the increase in the country, with wife-battering being the commonest. Moreover, children are increasingly being battered by their parents and guardians at the filmiest of excuses, while some lovers resort to other unimaginable forms of violence to settle disagreements.

In addition, is the increase in rape cases, and more frightening is that involving minors which is very worrisome.

According to reports, at least 4,000 rape cases have been reported in the Nigerian media in the past three years.

Surprisingly, perpetrators of rape cut across class, status and religion.

When enacted, the law seeks to abolish obsolete ordinances relating to the subject matter such as rape, assault etc and bringing them in line with present realities.

The bill re-defines rape to include penetration of any orifice of a woman such as the private part, anus, and mouth, which is an improvement on the penal/

criminal codes definition. In addition, it makes provisions for compensation to victims and the protection of their rights, even as it stresses penalties for indecent assault and sexual violence against any person and prohibition of female genital mutilation.

As expected, the bill includes offences such as willfully placing a person in fear of physical injury; forceful ejection from the home; forced financial dependence or economic abuse; forced isolation or separation from family and friends; abandonment of spouse, children and other dependents without sustenance. Notably, the passage of VAPP Bill is coming 20 years after the Beijing Declaration that denounces all forms of violence against women.

Every right thinking Nigerian believes that violence against women is a human rights violation and a serious impediment to their progress in any area of life. Moreover, it undercuts their health, prospects for education and productive work, including ability to participate as full members of their societies, among other consequences.

The consequences of violence against women in terms of mental, physical and social health are severe and often chronic. Women and girls in violent relationships are at heightened risk of experiencing psychological and behavioural problems, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, substance use and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Such violence is not an act against an individual woman; it is an attack against us all - to our country, to our community and to our loved ones. It is time to stop it. We urge President Goodluck Jonathan to sign it without delay.

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How long will this hemorrhage continue?

Sam Nzeh

ÏÏÏRegrettable

as the pains suffered by Nigerians more than one week now due to the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol, one clear fact that has emerged is that until the massive importation of the product is eliminated and the nation’s refining capacity enhanced through revamping existing refineries and building of new ones, the bleeding of the economy via fuel subsidy payment will continue.

Last Thursday, the Federal Government paid N156 billion to oil marketers being part of the amount owed

them for products imported into the country. With this, the total amount paid the oil marketers as fuel subsidy in the last five months comes up to N500 billion.

Again, on Tuesday, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, disclosed that about N145.2 billion had been provided for subsidy payments on petroleum products in the 2015 budget. According to her, N100 billion was provided for subsidy payments on petrol while N45.2 billion would cover subsidy on kerosene during the fiscal year.

All these payments are clearly bleeding the nation’s economy to death. And this is unfortunate. Like a vicious cycle, there appears to be nothing to show that

Words On Marble :

dailytimesng

Nigeria will get out of this quagmire any time soon.

This is so because some powerful forces benefiting from the subsidy on fuel including those in the labour unions and civil society groups who always drag Nigerians to the streets in support of retention of the policy are determined to ensure that the bleeding of the economy.

But this hemorrhage cannot continue indefinitely.

Fact is that the amount Nigeria pays as fuel subsidy is humongous and unsustainable in the long run. It has the capacity to grind the economy to a halt one day.

So, something urgent must be done to squarely deal with the issue once and for all, including total removal of subsidy on petrol.

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Adolf Hitler

Oscar Wilde

Walt Disney

Head ICT (Shared Services) Banjo Ayorinde

The great masses of the people… will more easily fall victims to a big lie than to a small one.

The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.

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Head Graphics King Ododoru

The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are solely those of the authors. Articles may be reproduced, provided that the original source is indicated.

News 4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

Jonathan: The Buhari I know won’t cancel rail project Egena Egena ƄƑƉ

ÏÏÏPRESIDENT

Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday, expressed optimism that the General Muhammadu Buhari-led incoming government will sustain the various ongoing rail projects in the country.

Ï 1 ƒƐ ƄƆ ƈ ƍƏƈƒ Ɛƈ Ɛƈ Ƈ M` è Ɛ ƆƏ Jonathan stated this while inspecting the Abuja Mass Transit Light Rail project to assess the extent of its implementation, as his government prepares to hand over on May 29.

The president took a

train ride during the nspection.

Guided by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed and the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, the

President boarded the light train from Ring Road 2 Light Rail Station around Jabi for a 10-minute ride to Idu Transfer Station in the FCT. Jonathan also inspected the new rehabilitated and

expanded 10-lane Airport Road named after the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua which is still under construction.

The road project is part of the Outer Southern Expressway and Outer Northern Expressway awarded by the administration of Yar’Adua at the cost of

N257billion in separate lots to Julius Berger, Messrs Dantata and Sawoe and CGC Nigeria Limited.

On arrival at the Idu Transfer Station which is still under construction, President Jonathan received technical briefing from officials of the FCT and the contracting firm, CCECC, before inspecting facilities at the station.

He noted, in a brief remark after the inspection of the facility, that the Light Rail project was important for Nigerians, particularly Abuja residents and therefore dismissed fears that it could be abandoned by the incoming administration of Buhari.

He said he had personally inspected progress in the project in order to know what exactly to tell Buhari when both of them would discuss.

Stressing the importance of rail development in effective mass transit in the country, Jonathan observed that it was the cheapest and most efficient modern mass transit system.

The president, who expressed satisfaction with the level of work on the rail project specially commended the Ministers of the FCT and the contractors handling the job for a job well done.

He said: “I emphasised the need for train system in terms of developing an effective mass transit in any nation.

“We will be talking about mass transit and you cannot talk about mass transit using taxis, small cars, even the luxurious buses. It will be too expensive.

“Until our rail system works, that’s why we are emphasising inter-city and intra-city, normal and light rail systems.

“Of course, this government is leaving on the 29th.

The incoming government will definitely continue because this is a noble project to Nigerians, especially residents of the FCT.” Also speaking, the FCT Minister assured that the rail project would be completed by August this year as all equipment needed for the completion have been delivered.

He said the Jonathan Administration was able Continued on page 12

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

Pita Chikwem Minna

ÏÏÏIn an attempt to save his job,

Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, on Wednesday evening, got a Minna High Court interim injunction restraining the State House of Assembly from setting in motion any process to force him out of office.

Honourable Justice Idris Evuti granted the three prayers as deposed to in an affidavit by the State Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Abdullahi Bawa Wuse.

The suit no NSHC/MN/54/2015 instituted by Aliyu, was against the Speaker, Mr. Isah Kawu, the Clerk, the Assembly and two

Court restrains Niger Assembly from impeaching Gov Aliyu others.

By the action, the executive arm has recognised the leadership of Kawu, who was elected on Tuesday after the removal of Mr. Adamu Usman and three other principal officers by 19 out of 25 members of the House.

The applicant, in a motion exparte application, moved by his counsel, Rotimi Ojo, prayed

for the order of the court for an order of interim injunction, restraining the defendants jointly and severally from setting in motion any process of forceful removal from office of the applicant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

He also prayed that the defendants be restrained from impeaching and accepting any

ÏÏÏDefendants in a case of

ÏÏÏAbout

100 youths invaded the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, in Ekiti State, to protest against what they said was unfair treatment against them, especially in employment.

Speaking with journalists, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Majekodunmi Ayodele, condemned the invasion of the hospital, on Wednesday, by some youths, who were protesting against an impression that

FRSC plans to reform driver’s licensing system

The governor had, on Wednesday, exonerated himself from the crisis in the State House of Assembly, saying that the faceoff “is internal,” He also said he was not targeted for a forceful removal from office by the crisis that erupted in the Assembly, on Tuesday, which led to the sacking of the house principal officers, including the Speaker Adamu Usman.

Mr. Alberto Adeyemi, told Daily Times when contacted that he had not been briefed, adding that he would get back to the press when fully briefed.

illegal possession of firearms in Lagos State have turned the table against the magistrate before whom they are standing trial.

In a petition they sent to the state Chief Judge, Justice Funmilayo Atilade, they claim that the trial magistrate (names withheld) is a live-in lover of the complainant’s counsel and that she is using her position to oppress them unfairly.

The magistrate had in the open court on 13 April this year, raised an alarm over an alleged threat to her life by the defendants.

They want the Chief Judge to investigate the allegation and accused the magistrate of using the instruments of state to deny them of their fundamental human rights.

The accused persons claimed that the lawyer whose petition to the Police led to their arrest, detention, and arraignment (names withheld) lives with the magistrate as a lover.

Sulaiman and Kehinde Sanusi, two of the children of a deceased steel merchant, Chief Abdul Razak Sanusi are currently standing trial before the court for allegedly being in possession of firearms and disrespecting the order of court, in what started as a family dispute over inheritance.

On April 13, 2015 when the case came up in court, the magistrate said that her life was under threat and that she had received letters from the suspects at her residence.

Addressing journalists who were present in court, the Magistrate stated: “Let the world know about it so that if anything happens to me and any member of my family the whole world will know who to hold”.

She said further: “Somebody is alleged to be in possession of firearms and he wrote letters to threaten my life, analyzing my marital status, my family background, where I live and who I live with and how I move in and out daily”.

However, in their petition to the Chief Judge, the Sanusi brothers said that these were weighty allegations against their persons and must be thoroughly investigated by the Judicial Service Commission, and the Office of the Attorney General of Lagos State.

The petition which was signed

by Mr Kehinde Sanusi stated: “We are sad and distressed over this baseless accusations as they are calculated to paint us as criminals to the public. Unless this charge is transferred to and heard by another magistrate, we stand convicted even before the trial starts before her”.

The petitioners reminded the Chief Judge of their petition to her office dated October 29, 2014 wherein they accused the magistrate of acting the script of one of their siblings, a Deputy Director in the State Ministry of Justice currently on posting to the Lagos State Safety Commission.

nologies and collaboration with other stakeholders in the road transport sector.

He stated this during the sensitisation programme on driver’s licence application and renewal procedures, at Jabi Motor Park, Utako, Abuja.

Oyeyemi said that more driv-

ing licence centres had been established in various parts of the country, which included the drivers’ licence plant in Kado, Abuja.

He also disclosed that the Kado plant was set up to address the delay experienced in printing of permanent driver’s licence cards.

He identified some of the chal-

lenges affecting quick and efficient service delivery which include low uploading of data, racketeering and slow collection of printed driver’s licence. He decried the attitude of some applicants who failed to collect their licences, even when they received text messages from the commission.

Ekiti youths protest against unemployment Ado Ekiti

nomination of any purported candidate for the position of acting governor of Niger State.

The court has fixed May 27, 2015 for hearing of the substantive case.

Efforts to reach Kawu failed as the Assembly was still under lock and key, while the Clerk of the House, Mohammed Kagara, said he was yet to be served the court order.

Defendants ask Lagos CJ to probe magistrate

L-R: Wife of the Vice President -elect, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Princess Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire and former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Pauline Tallen at the 7th international conference of African Women in Leadership Organisation held at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos… on Thursday

Gbenga Sodeinde

5 News

the indigenes were not being given preferential treatment in employment exercise.

He said the development happened in the midst of the kidnap saga in the state, which has tended to heighten the sense of insecurity.

He stated that the youths under the platform of Ido Youths Vanguard had protested against a ‘spurious’ claim that they were not being accommodated in employment issues.

The Police Public Relation Officer of the Ekiti Command,

Mathew Dadiya Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Corps Marshal of Feder-

al Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi, has restated the commitment of the corps to reform the licensing system, by improving the capacity of staff, provision of tech-

Fayose

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

Fayose lied against me, Buhari – Mu’azu Continued from page 1 The Governor said that he could back up his claim with proof.

On Thursday in his twitter account, @Muazuaa, the National Chairman recalled that in the build-up to the last general election, Fayose claimed with certainty that the President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, was on admission at a hospital in the United Kingdom.

Fayose claimed that Buhari, the APC Presidential candidate, was receiving treatment at a hospital located at Cavendish Street, Cavendish Square, W2 London West End, London.

The Governor then said: “This is not to mock Buhari or wish him dead. Rather, it is to expose the falsehood of the APC and desperation of its leaders, especially Senator Bola Tinubu, to foist another Yar’Adua saga on Nigeria.

“If the APC people are saying otherwise, let them publish the picture of Buhari boarding the plane and granting interview to aviation correspondents at the Abuja Airport.

“While I am happy that the APC people that are packaging Buhari finally listened to my plea to allow him (Buhari) to seek medical treatment abroad, I must say that it is unpatriotic for the APC to have lied that Buhari travelled on a working visit.

“The party should be honest enough to tell Nigerians that Buhari is actually sick and lacks capacity to rule Nigeria and that they are only packaging him, hoping

that he will become incapacitated if he becomes president so that they can take over power by proxy.”

Buhari however refuted the claim.

Mu’azu tweeted: “Fayose: ‘I have evidence that Muazu worked for APC.’ We hope it’s not the kind of evidence he once said he had that Buhari was dying?”

Nine hours earlier, Mu’azu had also tweeted: “We challenge Governor Fayose to come out with the evidence that shows National Chairman worked for APC during the elections.”

In yet another post, he tweeted: “The National chairman campaigned for Governor Fayose, defended him & was at his inauguration & will continue to support him & Ekiti people.

“You will all recall that the National Chairman warned members of our Presidential Campaign Org to stop the hate campaign.”

He repeated the governor’s statement, and raised a further poser: “Fayose: ‘I have evidence that Muazu worked for APC.’ We hope it’s not the kind of evidence he once said he had that Buhari was dying?”

Mu’azu had also on May 5 described Fayose’s allegations as “baseless.” He tweeted: “On Governor Fayose’s allegations, they are baseless & unfounded. We will continue to support him & the good people of Ekiti State.”

In a swift tweet reply, Fayose insisted that Mu’azu worked for the APC and described the National Chairman as a “leader who takes to twitter to slight a party member but

never did the same with or to the opponent.”

The Governor added: “God sees our hearts.”

Fayose said further in a tweet: “PDP will outlast many of us. The legacy of true politics is Service to the People, loyalty to one’s Team and a clear Conscience before God.” He followed it by “I appreciate the online community of PDP supporters and will always champion our collective cause for a better Nigeria under God.” Fayose, in another tweet admonished the national chairman to concentrate on rebuilding the party. He tweeted: “Any strong words we have are reserved only for our opponents and only in political season. This is now the time to unite for PDP and Nigeria”

Kano State Governor, Alh. Rabi’u Kwankwaso (right); former Vice President, Alh. Atiku Abubakar and Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi rtd, (left) at the commissioning of the Gen. Magashi Security Plaza along Zaria Road, Kano State… on Thursday.

Britain heading for hung Parliament Ngozii Okafor London

ÏÏÏBritain looks set to have another coalition government in the next couple of days, if the latest opinion polls on Thursday’s general elections are anything to go by.

As party faithful and the entire country went to the polls to determine the next set of parliamentarians and the country’s Prime Minister (PM) for the next five years, the latest Ipos MORI survey for the London Evening Standard showed that David Cameron’s Conservatives have 36%, just a point ahead of his closest rival, Ed Miliband,

whose Labour Party trails very closely at 35%.

Surprisingly, UKIP is third, with 11% , while deputy PM, Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrats ( Lib Dem) are a distant fourth on voters’ minds, with just 8% of those surveyed wanting to vote for them.

If the polls are right, then the country will have a hung parliament like it did five years ago, when the Conservatives won a majority number of seats in the House, but didn’t have enough to go it alone. Hence, they went ahead to form a coalition government with Clegg’s Lib Dem. Labour and Gordon Brown came

second and were forced out of Downing Street, as Clegg’s Party went down the aisle with the Tories (Conservatives) , rather than form a union with Labour. Brown then resigned as Labour leader on May 10, 2010. A day later, he tendered his resignation as the country’s Premier and bade farewell to 10, Downing Street.

Although the full outcome of the elections results will not be known till later on Friday (today), the country will have another hung parliament, if out of the 625 seats on offer, the largest party secures 325 seats or fewer. Apart from the latest poll for the Standard, other

major national polls have predicted the same and if they turn out so, another coalition is inevitable.

But the jury is out as to who and who will be in bed together this time round. The brides will most probably be Clegg’s Lib Dems or UKIP or even SNP. One thing is almost certain, Labour and the Conservatives don’t want to do business together or be in a relationship.

Clegg, meanwhile, has recently said his party would give the party with the majority of votes and seats the “ time and space” to form a new government before speaking to the party that comes second.

Igbo won’t beg Buhari for appointments, Ohanaeze

Buhari

ÏÏÏThe

Igbo ethnic nationality will not beg for appointments from the incoming Federal Government, according to its umbrella socio-cultural organization, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

It also deplored the recent visit to the President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, by some people who claimed to be representing Igbo during which they apologised for the mass rejection of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in many states of the South East at the last election.

General Buhari, the candidate of the APC, defeated incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Ohanaeze, on Thursday, noted that appointments were constitutional obligations of every President of Nigeria, irrespective of the voting pattern of a people in an election.

The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Anambra State, Dr. Chris Eluomunoh, who spoke in his capacity as the chairman of state presidents’ forum of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, comprising seven Igbo speaking states, addressed the press in Awka, Anambra State.

He noted that as an integral part of Nigeria, the Igbo nation must get its due share in the country as a matter of right.

Eluemunoh maintained that the Igbo had no regrets voting for President Goodluck Jonathan, stressing that the circumstance of the time made the voting pattern necessary.

“We didn’t vote for Jonathan because we didn’t like Buhari. The circumstance of the moment made our voting proper, and we don’t regret it.

“Nobody can intimidate the Igbo because of the way we voted in that election; neither shall we beg anybody for appointments because we didn’t vote for him.

“Every zoning arrangement for appointments in this country must include the Igbo. So those who called themselves Ohanaeze elders, who went to beg for appointments for Ndigbo, were on their own. They are not speaking for us.

“Ohanaeze is not partisan. At the appropriate time, we shall meet with the President-elect to chart a course for the country.”

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

Ekiti: Court strikes out APC lawmakers' suit against Fayose, others Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏ A Federal High Court, sit-

ting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, struck out a suit filed by the embattled Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, his deputy, Adesegun Orisalade, and 17 other All Progressives Congress (APC) members, challenging their removal from office.

Justice Saliu Saidu struck out the suit and also awarded a cost of N100,000 against Dr. Omirin and the other 18 APC lawmakers.

Omirin and the 18 APC members of the State House of Assembly had approached the court to challenge what they described as an 'infraction' in the House.

Sued are the factional Speaker of the House, Dele Olugbemi, Samuel Ajibola, Adeojo Alex-

ander, Adeloye Adeyinka, Isreal Olowo Ajiboye, Fatunbi Olajide, and Olayinka Abeni (1st--7th defendants).

Others are the state Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, Department of State Security (DSS), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi; Mr. Kayode Oso and Chief Toyin Ojo (9th--14th defendants).

Justice Saidu struck out the suit, after listening to the submission of the counsel to the APC lawmakers, Mr. Norris Quickers, represented by Mr. Onyeka Ofoegbu, who urged the court to strike out the suit without cost, while counsel to the defendants, Mr. Kayode Olufala, urged the court to dismiss the plaintiffs' suit with a substantial cost.

Justice Saidu said: "I have gone

through the notice of discountenance and objection filed by the defendants, urging the court to dismiss the plaintiffs' suit.

"The defendants have taken steps in this case by the processes they have filed and this case ought to be dismissed, not strike out order.

"The issue of what is to be done in a situation like this, where the defendants have taken steps is left at the discretion of the court, in the case of Rear Admiral Ebi Borpeni vs Darabella Nigeria Limited; 2014 LPELR/CA/L/177/2012.

"However, this issue has been well discussed in the case of Abayomi Babatunde vs Pan Atlantic Shipping and Transport Agency Limited and other; 2004/ SC part 1; 71/100-102, where the court was urged not to close the door of justice, as the court is

ordered not to tow that cruel and lonely path to shut the door of justice against a litigant "In this present democratic setting in the country, I am cautioned to take the path of striking out the case, rather than dismissal.

"I hereby strike out this case with a cost of N100,000, against the plaintiffs, in favour of the first to eighth, and twelfth to fourteenth defendants in this case."

The 19 APC lawmakers had approached the court seeking the following reliefs; which includes an order restraining Hon. Dele Odugbemi, and Hon. Olayinka Abeni, the first and seven defendants, respectively, from parading themselves or otherwise acting in the capacity of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

Jang will leave most projects uncompleted - Ex-commissionerr Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏ A

former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Plateau State and current Director of League of Human Rights, Mr. Nankin Bagudu, has said that the current administration will leave most projects uncompleted.

Bagudu is quoted to have said "this present administration has awarded a lot of contracts and has no plans to complete them.

“Even some of the roads that were executed are poorly constructed, at very high cost. This present government has spent billions they cannot account for on projects that are poorly completed, or that has been abandoned by the contractors," he said.

"It came as a rude shock to Governor Jang that power would be leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a thought he never imagined or dreamt of, so he is making it difficult for the transition committee to have access to documents of contracts awarded by his administration.

“I am a member of the transition committee and, as I speak, we have not met with the members of the committee from the governor's side, as they are making it difficult for us to have access to most of the documents from each ministry," Bagudu said.

L-R: President/Chairman of Council, the Chattered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Chief Mark Anthony Dike; Director, Large Tax Payers Department, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Innocent C. Ohagwa, and Vice President, CITN, Dr. Teju Somorin, at the commissioning of the Tax Professionals house, held at Ikeja, Lagos… on Thursday.

Photo: TAOFEEK BABAJIDE

Anambra APGA denies endorsing anyone for speaker Nkiru Nwagbo

ÏÏÏ The confusion over who be-

comes the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly was, on Thursday, put to rest, when the leadership of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Integrity Forum announced that the party and Governor Willie Obiano have

Obiano

not endorsed any member for the position.

Also, the group noted that no principal position has been zoned to any of the members of the sixth assembly, while urging party members and members of the public to discountenance any report claiming that a new speaker had emerged.

In a release by the group, signed by its chairman, Ichie Collins Nnebedum, Lady Chinwe Akukalia (secretary) and Comrade Kenechukwu Muolokwu (publicity secretary), it noted that the governor had not endorsed anybody as the next speaker of the assembly.

“The issue of zoning of principal offices of the Assembly has

not been resolved by the party; the governor has remained neutral over the election of the principal officers and has, indeed, allowed the party to brainstorm on the matter and come up with a report.

“The newly elected membership of the state's sixth Assembly have been given a free hand to liaise with the party on the positions for the leadership of the Assembly, it is pertinent to note that no member of the assembly from Anambra South senatorial district has been endorsed for the speakership position of the legislature, hence the rumoured choice of Mrs. Rita Maduagwu is a mere smokescreen aimed at overheating the polity.

7 News

We’ve 1.2b litres of PMS, says NNPC ÏÏÏ The Nigerian National Pe-

troleum Corporation (NNPC) and its downstream subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), have revealed that it has 1.2 billion litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, in stock.

The figure translates to 31 days sufficiency, going by the 40 million daily consumption of the product in the country.

The Managing Director of PPMC, Prince Haruna Momoh, who made the disclosure in Abuja on Thursday, further stated that 21 additional vessels, ladened with petroleum products, were offshore Lagos, waiting to berth.

He said the NNPC had made adequate arrangements to ensure energy sufficiency in the country and reassured motorists that the noticeable queues at the filling stations would thin out in the days ahead.

Prince Momoh noted that the NNPC has 21 days sufficiency of Automative Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel, and 18 days sufficiency of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), otherwise known as kerosene.

Shekarau charges private varsities on human capital devt Augustine Okezie Abuja

ÏÏÏ

Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has charged private universities in the country to live up to public expectation by addressing challenges such as fall in human capital development, access in qualitative education and enrolment, and promoting standards that are expected of world class universities.

Shekarau, who gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja, while handing over provisional licenses to two newly registered universities, namely Edwin Clark University and Hezekiah University, said that private universities play critical roles in promoting access to quality education and act as an antidote to the proliferation of illegal universities and degree awarding mills.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

Politics

s

Politics Editor: Akinjide Akintola Email: akinjide.akintola@dailytimes.com.ng

Buhari should convene genuine Economic Summit – Yar’Adua Ahmed Aminu Yar’Adua was a gubernatorial aspirant in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina State ahead of the 2015 general election and Secretary to the Katsina State Government during the first tenure of Governor Ibrahim Shema. An alumnus of the prestigious Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPS, Jos; a retired director in the Federal Ministry of Works and former Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). In this interview with AUGUSTINE AMINU, he pointed out key issues he wants the incoming Buhari administration to tackle in order to fix Nigeria and place it on the track of development. Excerpts:

After your retirement, you aspired for the governorship seat of Kastina State on the platform of the PDP, what prompted you into politics after successful career in the civil service, especially with the dictum: politics is a dirty game?

I don’t believe politics as a dirty game, it depends on how an individual practices it, and your purpose of joining politics. It’s true I Ahmed Yar’adua

Buhari

Ibrahim Shema

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

PDP’s dance of death

Jonathan Akinjide Akintola For the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its like all things have fallen apart and the centre can no longer hold.

Certainly, unless a miracle happens, the death knell for the party is already sounding and with the

Issues that will shape emergence of new senate leadership

Muazu

Anenih

ongoing startling revelations, the whole roof might come crashing down even before it finally vacates office on May 29, which is barely three weeks to go.

The surprising thing is that there is no one to call to order, all those baying for each other’s blood as the crisis in the party es-

calates by the day with fresh revelations, allegations and threats.

Leader of the party, President Goodluck Jonathan has maintained a dignified silence as allegations and counter allegations laced with threats and intimidation continue to fly around.

Chairman of the Party’s Board

As the 8th National Assembly is set to elect its principal officers, SUNDAY ISUWA looks at the possibility of the emergence of Women Principal Officers and other intrigues that will shape the selection of the Senate leadership.

Much skepticism marked the

formation of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2013. Having convinced Nigerians that APC was not a religious based party, it was able to cruise to victory, through massive support of Nigerians across all divides.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Prof. Wale Oladipo of Trustees, Chief Anthony Anenih, who used to be referred to as ‘Mr. Fix It’ has failed to fix anything and nothing has been heard from him since the party lost at the polls.

Also, one of outgoing President Jonathan’s vociferous backers at the zenith of his power and Ijaw

Bukola Saraki

leader, Chief Edwin Clarke has remained curiously silent since the PDP lost out ignominiously at the polls.

With the way things are going, it might take the efforts of anticorruption agencies in the coun-

Binta Masi Garba

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

George Akume

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

9 Politics

Opening the PDP Pandora’s Box CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

try to find out the true position of things and sanitise the whole process, a development that many fear would lead to the eventual eclipse of the party once touted to be the greatest in Africa.

The first shocking revelation was the allegation that the National the Working Committee, (NWC), of the party helped themselves to the party’s funds shortly after Jonathan lost the poll. According to revelation first published online, Jonathan’s associates had released documents of huge cash withdrawals by the NWC members shortly after the president’s defeat.

The associates disclosed that Jonathan felt betrayed by the “greedy actions” of the NWC members. The Presidency sources gave internal vouchers showing that the party’s NWC members distributed over a quarter of billion naira to themselves on April 8, 2015.

The monies paid out of the party’s Zenith Bank account number, ending with 6016, showed that the party’s national chairman, Adamu Muazu, was paid N100 million through Julius Berger PLC while the deputy chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, received N40 million. The documents provided by the Presidency also revealed that the PDP’s national secretary, Adewale Oladipo, got N30 million. Other members who got N30 million each include Bu-

Muazu

hari Bala, who is national treasurer of the party, Bolaji Akpan Anani, national financial secretary, Olisa Metuh, national publicity secretary, Adeyanju Fatai, the party’s national auditor and Abubakar Mustapha, national organizing secretary.

The insinuation was that the money shared was supposed to have been used for the President’s election but was not and was distributed amongst themselves instead which was responsible for the President’s loss.

However, the NWC in its re-

sponse said that President Goodluck Jonathan should not hold the National Working Committee, responsible for losing the presidential election.

Addressing Journalists, in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh while exonerating the party from Jonathan’s failure, stressed that the defeat was because the party and its leadership were not carried along and their advice was ignored.

Metuh who noted that hate campaign by the Presidential Campaign Committee resulted in the failure of the party, said that members of the NWC did not play any significant role in the 2015 presidential campaign of the party, adding that the abysmal performance of the party in the north was a result of the hate campaign adopted by the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation against the APC and its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, retd.

Reacting to an online report that NWC members shared part of the presidential campaign funds among themselves, he said the NWC was never involved in the disbursement of campaign funds, and disclosed that the party spent over N4 billion to sponsor their candidates in the presidential, governorship, National Assembly and the House of Assemblies elections.

Metuh said, “we did not lead the party to failure, we were not

PDP’s loss due to lack of internal democracy – Yar’Adua CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

was a civil servant all my life, but while in public service, I was involved in political activities since my school days. When I was at the University, I was in the student wing of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) of the late Aminu Kano. After graduating, when our elder brother, the late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’adua started organizing his political movements which gave rise to many political parties in Nigeria, like the Peoples Front (PF) and the PDM, we were all there from the inception. In the first attempt of the late President Umaru Musa Ya’adua to become the SDP governor of Kastina under the Ibrahim Babagida admin-

istration, we were all there with him; and when he came back in 1999 to seek for the same governorship seat on the platform of the PDP, we were part of his foot soldiers. Even though I did not hold any active position in the party then, I participated actively to ensure that he won the election.

And when he (Yar’adua) came back for the second tenure, I was part and parcel of the people that ensured his victory at the polls. It was done with my active involvement in politics both at the state and federal level, which was why I was appointed secretary to the Kastina state government under the Ibrahim Shema’s administraAhmed Yar’adua

Ibrahim Shema

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

involved in the campaigns and our advice was ignored. If we had handled the campaign, Mr. President would have won the election.

We cannot be held responsible when our advice was ignored.

As if these controversies were not enough, stringent calls have been made on the national leadership especially the Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu and National Secretary, Professor Adewale Oladipo to resign their positions based on the allegations against them and for leading the party to failure in the last elections.

But both of them have declined saying they could not be forced out of office for no just cause.

The National Secretary, Prof.

Oladipo, condemned the call on him and the National Auditor, Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju, to resign from the NWC of the party insisting that he would not resign, faulting the communiqué purportedly issued by some PDP leaders in the Southwest calling CONTINUED on PAGE 10

8th Senate leadership and UN affirmative action CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

The governing party, as the President elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, coined it will face a litmus test. Officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and social critics are of the opinion that all eyes are on the APC to see how it will treat the women folk in the sharing principal offices in the legislative arms.

So far, eight women made it to the 109-member senate as opposed to seven elected in 2011. Three of the eight women senators are of the All Progressives Congress (APC). They are; current member of the senate, Oluremi Tinubu (APC Lagos Central), incumbent Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo Central), and Binta Masi Garba (APC Adamawa North).

Binta is the only Woman Senator from the entire Northern Nigeria.

The five other women who will CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

How new senate leadership may emerge ‘Shema, a dictator ’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

be joining the Upper Legislative Chamber are from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They are House of Representatives member, Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central); former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi (Anambra North); Rose Oko (Cross River North); House of Representatives member between 2003 and 2007, Fatimat Raji-Rasaki (Ekiti Central), and Abiodun Olujimi (Ekiti South), a former deputy governor of the state.

Senator- elect from the North Central, North East and others are jostling for the Senate President’s slot. The regions have several prominent contestants for the office of the senate president who returned to the red chamber on the APC platform.

The fight had earlier been between former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki, a former governor of Benue State and current Senate Minority Leader, George Akume, and a former National Chairman of the PDP, BarnabasGemade. However, Some North East Senators have joined the race. Prominent among them are Sen.-elect, Binta Masi Garba and Sen. Ahmed Lawan.

But 12 out of the 13 senators elected on the platform of the APC from the North East said in Abuja recently that they were not in support of Senator Lawan’s emergence as the consensus candidate of the geo-political zone for the post of Senate President in the incoming Eighth National Assem-

Bukola Saraki bly.

The lawmakers, led by Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) at a news conference, said they were still pleading with the leadership of the party to zone the position of Senate President to their region but that they had not picked anyone as the consensus candidate. They also vowed to resist any attempt by anyone or group of people, to impose a candidate on them. The Senators said they

would decide on the consensus candidate on their own instead of queuing behind a candidate anointed by outsiders.

With agitation from the people of the North- East that the region has always been short changed when it comes to the office of the Senate President, Binta Masi Garba seems to be gathering more support for a principal office than Lawan.

Investigations revealed that

Binta is the first female Chairperson of any political party in Nigeria having been elected as the Adamawa State Chapter Chairperson of the APC in April last year. She is still holding that position till today.

As state party chairperson, Binta was able to unite the camps of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governor Murtala Nyako. The unity she brought to the party in a state dominated by influential men, brought about the successes APC recorded in the recent general election.

As a woman, Binta did not only work hard to ensure that APC won the three Senatorial seats in Adamawa, her gubernatorial candidate; Mohammed Bindo defeated a prominent PDP candidate, Nuhu Ribadu.

Her achievement as APC chairperson did not stop there. Binta who hails from the same Senatorial District with the present Governor of Adamawa State Bala Ngilari, former acting governor, Rt. Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, silenced PDP politically by winning 22 out of the 26 seats in the State House of Assembly.

As Chairman, Binta’s party won six out of the eight House of Representatives seats in Adamawa State. The result of one seat is still inconclusive.

Many have expressed optimism that if given a principal office role at the 8th National Assembly, Binta will do exceedingly well, considering her leadership qual-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

tion.

As a key member of the PDP in Kastina State, How would describe your party’s loss to the APC in the general election?

What happened in the PDP primaries in Kastina State was not in the best interest Katsina people and the PDP in the state. Nine of us contested the PDP gubernatorial primaries but, PDP as a party has no internal democracy at all.

In the first instance; none of the eight candidates except that of the governor were involved in the selection of delegates to the primaries. The party primaries committee members who came from the national headquarter of the party in Abuja were hidden by the governor in government house; we had no access to them. The 1200 delegates to the primaries were solely chosen by the governor. This was done solely to enable his candidate emerge as the flag bearer of the PDP. We wrote petitions to the national working committee of the party, but nobody listened to us, they only chose to listen to the governor. The conduct of the primaries was carried out in such a manner as to push us aside and bring out the governor’s candidate.

All of us, the eight contestants went to the venue of the primaries just like ordinary observers and it was at venue we knew the pattern CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

PDP: The battle within CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

on the two national officers to resign.

According to the communiqué, the resignation was to pave way for the dissolution of the National Working Committee as a fall out of the disastrous outing of the party in the 2015 general election.

However, Oladipo said “a very careful examination of the inherent breaches in the procedures adopted in the convening of the meeting as well as the content and tone of its resolution shows an orchestration by a few individuals bent on sowing a seed of discord within the PDP fold in the zone.”

In a statement, Oladipo said: “It is indeed undermining and a

clear breach of protocol the fact that a meeting of some leaders of the zone would be convened to discuss issues of the party’s Presidential campaigns and the highest-ranking national officers of the party from the zone were excluded.

“This is in continuation of the apparent marginalisation of the National Working Committee and the party structure at all levels in the handling of the Presidential campaigns.

“Moreso, even some of those who attended the meeting were not privy to the agenda and the eventual content of the communiqué issued at the end.

“Moreover, members of the PDP in Osun State, my primary constituency, have already passed a vote of confidence on me in my

capacity as the National Secretary.

“Furthermore, while some of those asking us to resign performed very poorly even in their polling units, it is on record that the National Auditor and my humble self performed creditably and delivered our areas in the general elections.

“What our party needs now in the southwest and indeed across the country is for all hands to be on the deck as we work harmoniously in our determination to reposition the PDP to regain power in 2019”, he said.

However, efforts by the NWC to reposition the party with the constitution of a post-election assessment committee appeared to have received cold shoulders from stakeholders in the party

Anenih

Prof Wale Oladipo

who shunned the inauguration of the committee slated for Tuesday May 5.

The Committee is to review and evaluate the performance of the party in the just concluded 2015 general election and make recommendations for the repositioning of the party.

Membership of the commit-

tee are: Sen. Ike Ekweremadu (Chairman); Gov. Godswill Akpabio, Gov. T.A. Orji, Gov. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Chief. Nyeson Wike, Malam. Ibrahim Shekarau, Engr. Abdulkadir Kure, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Mr. Abba Moro, Alh. Adamu Waziri, Sen. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

11 Politics

INEC should conduct LG polls – Yar’Adua CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

chosen by the governor to conduct the primaries. We saw 34 ballot boxes representing the 34 local government areas of the state and the governor leading his local government to the voting point while one man was writing on every body’s ballot papers, we protested and staged a walk out. At the end of the day, they gave 30 votes to the eight of us that contested while the one anointed by the governor, Nashihu, got 1,300 votes.

The man the governor chose to fly the PDP flag in Kastina State may have been successful in his field of endevaour, but we knew that he was a nobody in the political arithmetic of Kastina State.

He was brought into politics as special assistant to the governor, but in politics, it is a different ball game. It depends on your commitment to the development of the people. The governor imposed the candidate and by the end of the day, this is where we are to day.

The governor did not only impose the gubernatorial candidate on us, but all the Senatorial, House of Representatives and state assem-

bly members. The primaries were a sham. The governor sat down in his house and hand picked them without consulting the stakeholders of the party. He did the same thing in the Local government elections, he handpicked all the counselors and chairmen in the 34 local government areas of the state without consulting anybody in the party. What we had in PDP in Kastina State was simply a dictatorship and not democracy, and that was why PDP lost out woefully in all the elections.

How do you assess the general conduct of the 2015 elections, vis avis the roles played

by INEC. In which areas do you think there is need for improvements in future elections?

In my adult life, I have witnessed about six elections, and I think that the 2015 general election seemed to be the best so far; because in these elections, INEC ensured that the votes of the people count. This is a very important part of any election. The electorate were given a chance to chose whom they want and remove whom they didn’t want. If we consolidate on the successes of the

2015 general election, there will be integrity in our electoral body. We have to commend INEC and Professor Attahiru Jega has written his name in gold in the Nigerian history. We have to commend them for the use of technology, because; if you bring in technology into anything, there will be a remarkable difference. The card reader is one good example of such technology. We have to also acknowledge the roles of the social media, they played a great role in conducting the people on what to do. The civil society organizations and election monitors played active roles in ensuring that the elections were free and fair in all the states. We have to also acknowledge the commitment of the electorate, not only for voting on election days, but for their determination to prevent electoral frauds at the polling units. I was at polling units in my state, I saw how they resisted any hooligan that would want to snatch ballot boxes and disrupt the electoral processes. In the past elections, there were lots of frauds when conveying results from polling units to the collation centers and INEC offices: that was where

‘Governors caused PDP woes’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Ahmed Moh Makarfi, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, Chief Pegba Otemolu, Mrs. Funmi Ayoola and Sen. Walid Jibril- Member/Secretary.

Mu’azu, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Theodore Orji of Abia and Ibrahim Dankwabo of Gombe who are part of the 15-member Committee refused to turn up for the inauguration.

Also absent at the event was the Secretary of the PDP Board of Trustees, Alhaji Walid Jibril, appointed as the secretary to the committee.

Those who turned up for the inauguration included Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Interior Minister, Abba Moro; Rivers State Governor-Elect, Nyesom Wike; Makanjuola Ogundipe, Alhaji Adamu Waziri and Chief Pegba Otemolu.

Ekweremadu confirmed that the party’s performance at the election was, indeed, poor, but appealed to aggrieved members of the party to stop blaming each other over what had happened and could not be immediately remedied.

According to Ekweremadu, the party’s pains and disappointments are well founded, especially given the enormous hopes

Ahmed Yar’adua results should were changed. This time around INEC ensured that all these frauds were reduced to the barest minimum. For future elections in the country, I recommend that INEC should stringently monitor how political parties maintain internal democracy.

APC may appear to be getting

it right now, but by next elections we shall see how they will manage the issue of delegates and contestants, the issue of internal democracy. I am also suggesting that there should be a constitutional amendment to make INEC to conduct local government elections in the states.

Will 8th Senate observe UN affirmative action?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Jonathan and prospects the party holds as a pan-Nigerian movement for social, economic, and political transformations.

He said the current situation was an opportunity to reassess and reinvent the PDP to retake its place in the Nigerian.

However, following this development, an appeal came from President Goodluck Jonathan to feuding members of the party to sheath their swords and focus on repositioning the party ahead of other elections in the country.

ity in leading a team of men that did not only defeat prominent politicians such as: Bamanga Tukur, Barr Ahmed Gulak, Marcus Gundiri, Ahmed Modibbo amongst others, the party was hitherto in crises before she emerged state chairperson and she totally united it and rooted out PDP from Adamawa State.

Political pundits are also calling for the full implementation of the United Nations affirmative action in the selection of the Senate leadership. Nigeria is a signatory to the UN affirmative action.

Affirmative action is the policy of favouring members of a disadvantaged group who suffer from discrimination within a culture.

The nature of positive discrimination policies varies from region to region. Some countries, such as India, use a quota system, whereby a certain percentage of offices must be reserved for members of a certain group. In some other regions, specific quotas do not exist; instead, members of minorities are given preference in selec-

Binta Masi Garba tion processes.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee states that the principle of equality sometimes requires States parties to take affirmative action in order to diminish or eliminate conditions which cause or help to perpetuate discrimination prohibited by the Covenant.

The Women folk in Nigeria has suffered unprecedented sideline when it comes to the formation of leadership in the red chamber and the principle of affirmative action is to promote societal equality through the preferential treatment of socio-economically disadvantaged people.

Often, these people are disadvantaged for historical reasons, such as oppression or slavery.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

Jonathan: Buhari’s govt won’t cancel rail projects Continued from page 4 to secure a financial plan of $500millon loan for the project while Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) provided N20billion counterpart funding.

“Right now, we have taken up to 61 percent of the sum. We do not have so much of financing challenges except for the next fiscal year which has been accommodated in the budget,” to Senator Mohammed said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government, Thursday, directed the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to commence the privatisation of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), and other railway facilities across the country.

The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) gave the directive to the BPE and the Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NIAF), after its council meeting in Abuja.

Director-General of the BPE, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, said the decision to reform the railways was

born out of the government’s desire to avoid the collapse and eventual shutdown of the railways.

According to him, “The funding challenges facing the future of rail in Nigeria seems dependent on the efficiency and professionalism which the private sector can bring to improve railway operations.

“The railway reform, restructuring and privatisation programme is specifically aimed at achieving the provisional framework for private sector-led

L-R: Taraba State Governorship Candidate, Sen. Aisha Alhassan; President Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd); APC Chairman, Taraba State, Alh. Hassan Jika- Ardo and Chief Whip. House of Representatives Mr. Ishaka Bawa during Taraba state delegates visit to the President elect in Abuja… on Wednesday Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN

growth through expanded domestic and foreign investment; improve NRC’s ability to provide adequate, safe, reliable and efficient rail services; and reduce NRC dependence on the FGN budget by introducing private sector investment in the sector.”

NIAF has committed to funding the consultancy for the development of the roadmap and framework for the concession of the rail tracks of the Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC).

BPE in a recent meeting with NIAF during which issues relating to the reform of the railways were discussed and BPE requested for assistance. NIAF has confirmed its willingness to support the Bureau in developing a Roadmap/ Framework for concessioning the Nigerian narrow gauge railway network. It also indicated that it would provide the proposed technical assistance at no cost to government In 2005, the Bureau, through the World Bank funding, engaged the services of CPCS Transcom as Transaction Advisers on the concession of the rails. The firm had completed about 80% of the assignment, including the concession of the Central Railways (Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri line which terminates at Ovu) and the due diligence on the entire rail network before its contract was suspended because of the proposed modernisation of the network which was to replace the existing network with wider gauge. Because of lack of funding, the modernisation project was shelved by the Federal Government which directed that the existing network

should be rehabilitated and concessioned to private operators.

The rehabilitation of the railway system includes track spot renewal of Lagos to Kano and Maiduguri to Port Harcourt lines, supply of 25 new locomotives to boost existing locomotive power base of the corporation, upgrading of carriage and wagon workshops, re-equipping the workshops, supply of service support, strategic rebranding of the corporation, rehabilitation of stations and marshalling yards.

It would be recalled that a new Railway bill which is one of the eight reform bills recently approved by the NCP and Federal Executive Council (FEC) is currently before the National Assembly for passage into law.

The new Bill seeks to, among others, repeal the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act, 1955; provide the appropriate market design and legal framework for the implementation of Government’s reform programme; separate the roles of policy making, regulation and operation; provide a platform for the introduction of private sector concessionaires and promote competition in the provision of railway services nationwide.

The Public Enterprises (Privatization and Commercialization) Act, 1999 scheduled the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) for privatization and the National Council on Privatization (NCP) in 2002 approved that the enterprise be concessioned to private operators to provide freight and passenger railway services using the vertical integration model.

GEJ, Assembly suit adjourned till after handover Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏHopes by the current Na-

tional Assembly to alter some provisions of the 1999 constitution were on Thursday dashed by the Supreme Court: It ordered a stay of action on the process and adjourned further hearing in the matter to June 18.

The tenure of the litigants, both the federal executive and the legislature, ends on May 29.

In effect, by June 18 when the matter comes up, a new federal executive will have been sworn in, and will be headed by the President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari. Also, a new National Assembly will have been proclaimed and will

be headed by different legislators.

The apex court on Thursday ordered both the executive and the National Assembly to stop further action on the process pending the determination of the suit filed by the outgoing Goodluck Jonathan administration challenging the process adopted by the legislature.

Specifically, the Supreme Court ordered the parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum in all the matters relating to the suit filed by the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation on behalf of President Jonathan on the amendments to the Nigerian Constitutional (Fourth Alteration Act 2015).

“The status quo ante should be

maintained. No further action should be contemplated or taken by either party,till the hearing and determination of the case,” the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed ordered.

The suit arose after President Jonathan declined assent to the amended Constitution that was forwarded to him by the Assembly. He instead wrote the legislators, giving his reasons for withholding his assent.

He then approached the Supreme Court to annul the amendments, citing threats by the Assembly to override the President’s veto after 30 days as constitutionally provided.

When the matter came up on Thursday, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN),

counsel to the AGF told the court that the suit arose from the President’s grouse against the procedure employed by NASS in the amendment.

He said the legislators failed to comply with Section 8 and Section 9 of the constitution in carrying out the amendment, thereby, necessitating the President’s withdrawal of his assent.

But, the National Assembly was not represented in the court and Justice Mahmud Mohammed ordered that hearing notice be issued and served on the parties. He adjourned the matter till June 18, 2015.

He explained that the adjournment would give the counsel to the Federal Government, Mr Bayo Ojo (SAN), adequate time

to prepare to address the court on salient constitutional issues raised in his originating processes.

It would also enable the NASS, which was not represented in court to appear before the court on June 18, the adjourned date.

He stressed that “the status quo ante should be maintained.

No further action should be contemplated or taken by either party, till the hearing and determination of the case.”

“We want to give adequate time to the plaintiff ’s counsel to go back and look into the totality of the originating process and come back to address the court on salient issues surrounding SC Cap S16 LFN, 2004, and S232 CFRN.”

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

One dead, many injured in fresh violence in Burundi

Demonstrators, some carrying machetes and stones, shout as police dismantle a barricade in the Kanyosha district of Bujumbura, Burundi, on Wednesday.

ÏÏÏFresh

political violence in Burundi has left one person and dead and at least three others wounded, as demonstrations continue against President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to run for

a third term. Witnesses and a Red Cross official said the latest unrest occurred Thursday after police intervened to stop clashes between the president's supporters and opponents in the capital,

Bujumbura.

Burundi's constitutional court this week ruled President Nkurunziza is allowed to run for a third term, enraging his opponents who say this violates the

constitution.

Nkurunziza vowed Wednesday if he is re-elected it will be his last term. He also called for an end to the protests, saying it is important the June 26 elections be held in a peaceful atmosphere.

At least 13 people have died since the demonstrations began April 26, the day Nkurunziza announced he would seek re-election.

Top officials have promised the government is willing to release the hundreds of detained protesters on the condition that the protests stop.

In Tuesday's ruling, the court said the president could run without violating the constitution's two-term limit, saying "renewal of the presidential term through direct universal suffrage" is permitted. Nkurunziza's first term as president was the result of a parliamentary vote. The president's supporters say he has served only one term as a result of winning a general election and should be eligible to seek re-election according to those terms.

Liberia almost free from Ebola, official says

ÏÏÏLiberia’s

minister of commerce and industry says Liberia has had no new cases of Ebola for a while and is near the point at which it can be declared Ebolafree.

"May 9 is our magic date," Minister Axel Addy said. "If there are no new cases, and I believe there will be no new cases, we will have met the threshold. Some of the Ebola treatment centers have actually been decommissioned, and there are others that are being decommissioned.”

Addy told VOA that the government knows Ebola could recur

and is putting in place a management system to deal with another emergency, should it arise.

“It includes putting in place the right health infrastructure to deal with the response, to track any sort of new potential cases and to monitor what is happening along the borders,” he said.

Besides strengthening its health system and protecting its people from the possibility of a new outbreak of this deadly disease, Liberia is faced with the huge task of reviving its economy.

Before Ebola struck, Liberia was projecting a 2014 gross domestic

Uganda seeks extradition of rebel leader from Tanzania

ÏÏÏUganda is seeking the ex-

tradition of the leader of an Islamist armed group responsible for the massacre of civilians in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a police spokesperson said on Thursday, according to dpa.

Police officials have been sent to facilitate the extradition of Jamil Mukulu from Tanzania, where he was arrested in late April, police spokesperson Fred Enanga said.

product growth rate of between 5.9 and 7 percent. After the crisis hit, GDP dipped to below 1 percent.

Augustine Jarret, Liberia's minister of state without portfolio, said the Ebola crisis has had a cascading effect on all aspects of the economy, especially on Liberia’s two main products, rubber and iron ore. He said companies closed, thousands of people lost their jobs and farms became idle, stripping thousands of farmers of their income.

He said it was clear that Liberia cannot remain dependent on two

products and must diversify into other areas. He said Liberia plans to put more emphasis on working with the private sector as opposed to the government side.

The 51-year-old heads the Allied Democratic Forces-National Army for the Liberation of Uganda (ADF-NALU), which was founded in Uganda in the mid1990s. Coming under pressure from the government, it later moved to eastern DRC. The group is suspected of killing hundreds of people in both countries, including more than 300 people in and near Beni in Congo late last year.

"A team of our officials went

to Tanzania early this week with all the necessary extradition papers," Enanga said.

The spokesperson said the rebel leader was likely to face charges including murder, rape, kidnapping and the recruitment of children as soldiers.

Violence has ravaged eastern DRC since the 1996-2003 DRC wars, which were sparked by more than a million Rwandans flooding into the region after the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

13 Africa Two Egyptian cops killed in Sinai shooting ÏÏÏTwo

Egyptian police recruits were killed on Thursday when unidentified gunmen shot them outside the gate of a security forces camp in the volatile Northern Sinai region, security sources said.

Last month, Egypt extended by three months a state of emergency imposed on Northern Sinai in October after Islamist militants stepped up attacks in the remote but strategic peninsula bordering Israel, Gaza and the Suez Canal.

On Thursday, gunmen in a car shot dead the two policemen who were guarding the gate of a police camp in the city of Rafah, the sources said.

Security forces responded with gunfire but the attackers fled the scene, they added.

Insurgents have killed hundreds of soldiers and policemen in Sinai since mid-2013, lashing out after then-army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi following protests. Sisi went on to be elected president last year.

UN 'whistleblower' in CAR child sex scandal reinstated ÏÏÏ

Addy

UN tribunal has ordered the reinstatement of Swedish official Anders Kompass who was suspended for leaking a report to France about child abuse by French peacekeepers in the Central African Republic.

The ruling of the internal tribunal was delivered on Tuesday and Kompass "has thus resumed his service", a spokesperson for the UN human rights office told AFP. Kompass will however continue to face an internal United Nations probe following accusations that he passed on confidential information, including the names of the alleged victims, without getting the go-ahead of his superiors.

"We remain extremely concerned that copies are circulating of the confidential unredacted preliminary notes of the interviews with the children," the spokesperson said.

World 14

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

US, Saudi agree to ceasefire in Yemen fighting U.S. and Saudi officials have agreed to pursue a humanitarian pause in Yemen, where fighting

by Shi'ite Houthi rebels has forced thousands of people to flee the country.

At a news conference in Riyadh Thursday, Secretary of State John Kerry and his Saudi counterpart, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubier, said efforts were underway to forge a five-day cease-fire in Yemen to send in humanitarian aid.

They said the cease-fire would be renewable, depending on the conditions on the ground.

Al-Jubeir said there had been no initial contact with the Houthis, who are believed to receive support from Iran, on whether they would support a cease-fire.

Kerry added, “We strongly urge the Houthis and those who back them - whom we suggest use all their influence - not to miss this major opportunity to address the needs of the Yemeni people and find a peaceful way forward in Yemen."

Under the terms, the Saudi-led coalition of Arab countries would cease airstrikes in Yemen to facilitate aid to roughly 16 million civilians in need.

Al-Jubeir urged the Houthi rebels to halt attacks as well, saying:

Netanyahu announces new Israeli coalition govt ÏÏÏ Israeli Prime Minister Ben-

jamin Netanyahu has announced a new right-wing coalition government and is poised to begin an unprecedented fourth term as head of government.

The announcement early Thursday, which was immediately denounced by the Palestinian leadership, comes after seven weeks of bargaining and less than two hours before a deadline that would have passed the task pass to another parliament member.

A leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization and former chief peace negotiator, Nabil Sha'ath, said the new government gave no hope of advancing the

"There will be a cease-fire everywhere or a cease-fire nowhere."

He added that he hoped the Houthis would care enough about the Yemeni people to support the plan.

The Saudi foreign minister also said more details would be announced within the coming days

about the proposed pause, which would affect all of Yemen.

Earlier this week, Kerry announced the U.S. would provide another $68 million in humanitarian assistance to Yemen. The money will be used to provide food, water, shelter, medical care and other aid.

The State Department said the money would help humanitarian organizations, which have been hampered by fuel shortages in the country, meet the needs of nearly 16 million people in Yemen affected by the country’s crisis, including about 300,000 who have been internally displaced.

US Secretary of State, John Kerry (left) with Saudi’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, recently

Middle East peace process.

"This is a colonial settler Cabinet, no doubt about it. It is an extreme right Cabinet," he said. "It is a cabinet that includes all of those people who want to maintain our occupation (of the West Bank) and that is what I said about my very, very little hope that this government is going to really be at all a government of peace."

The White House says U.S. President Barack Obama looks forward to working with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his new government.

Netanyahu said he wants to swear in the new government, which gives a lead role to the hardline nationalist religious Jewish Home party, next week and indicated he hopes to strengthen it by attracting other parties.

Netanyahu

ÏÏÏ Italy has cancelled dozens

of flights to and from its busiest airport - Fiumicino in Rome - after a fire gutted part of its international terminal.

The airport was closed for several hours but officials are working to get it fully operational again.

The overnight blaze - now extinguished - gutted a shopping area at terminal three. Nobody died, but a few people were treated for smoke inhalation.

Thousands of passengers were hit by delays and many flights were diverted.

The fire broke out at about midnight (22:00 GMT) on Wednesday and took some five hours to bring under control.

TV pictures showed the terminal engulfed in flames overnight, then the burnt-out facade in the morning. Thick smoke was seen rising from the building until mid-morning. "We got here and there was just a cloud of smoke and a terrible smell, the air was so bad we couldn't breathe. There weren't any masks or anything," said passenger Andrea Lauretti, quoted by Reuters news agency.

Chaos at Rome airport after terminal fire Possible causes of the fire are being investigated, though a short circuit is thought to be the most likely. Foul play has been ruled out. The airport was closed throughout the morning, with all outgoing flights cancelled and all but a few overnight long-distance incoming flights blocked.

Airport authorities said they hoped normal service would resume by midday on Thursday, but outward flights were still being cancelled mid-afternoon.

Many passengers were sent to the airport's three other terminals where they were subjected to long delays. Airlines including national carrier Alitalia are offering alternative flights or refunds to affected passengers.

Chilean president sacks entire cabinet

ÏÏÏChilean President Michelle

Bachelet has asked all her ministers to resign and says she will choose a new cabinet in the coming days.

In an interview with broadcaster Canal 13, Ms Bachelet said changes were needed to promote reforms.

Ms Bachelet's approval ratings have recently slumped amid a series of political scandals.

In February her son resigned as head of a government charity over allegations of influence-peddling.

The BBC's Gideon Long in Santiago says Ms Bachelet's dismissal of the entire cabinet is without precedent in recent Chilean history.

The move gives some indication of the gravity of the crisis she faces, he says.

"A few hours ago I requested the resignation of all the ministers, and I will take 72 hours to decide who will stay and who will go," Ms Bachelet said on Wednesday evening.

Mexico rescues 100 kidnapped migrants ÏÏÏ There have been protests

in Mexico over the dangers that exist for Central American migrants Police in Mexico have rescued more than 100 migrants kidnapped by a human trafficking gang near the capital.

Reports said some of the migrants had been held hostage for five weeks in a house in Mexico State.

Most of the victims were Central Americans, but they also included people from India and Sri Lanka.

The migrants had been trying to reach the US illegally when they were captured by a gang who demanded cash from their relatives.

Five human traffickers were arrested in the town of Axapusco after the raid on Wednesday, said government officials.

Nearly 100 agents were involved in the operation to rescue the victims, who included some 14 children.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

15 Opinion

Who really betrayed Niger Delta Cause? Ï9 ƆƎƓ Ɔ ƕ Ɔ Ǝ Ƅ ƊƄ Ǝ Ɔ ƐƄƍ ƕ ƐƄƍ Ɔ ƕ ƄƒƋƄƃƎƆ ƕƆƅƅƄƍƄ Ǝ ƍƄ ƏƉƎ ƉƂƄƍƎ &Ɔ ƎƄƆ

S Uche Igwe

ince the first part of this article was published last week, many persons have contacted me to respond to its contents. It is interesting that many people felt that what I initiated was a timely and worthwhile debate. I have therefore chosen to raise a few more issues that can help us deepen the conversation further in search of solutions. There are those who rather than take on the issues raised, decided to attack my person. One of them, Ms Ann Kio Briggs even contacted my university. However, I am gratified that many persons who learnt about her action condemned it and amplified my position that she is not an activist but a conflict entrepreneur. After more than six years of deliberate silence, I listened to her inciting young people in Port Harcourt to secede from Nigeria. How else will one describe hypocrisy?

The last time I saw Ms Briggs, four mobile policemen in a convoy of cars were escorting her.

We must not allow any distractions or blame game to distract us. It is not time to be

judgemental either. Rather it is a time to revisit and rigorously interrogate what we now know and call the Niger Delta cause.

Was/is they are a cause? If we all answer in the affirmative then do we mean the same thing? Is the cause about lingering questions lacking in clarity or are there answers already provided? Was the cause/answers in economic, political, environmental issues or a combination of the three? Is it the same thing as resource control or amnesty programme? My point here is that there seem to be no coherent Niger Delta cause, rather a plethora of causes submerged and almost lost in the pursuit of self-interest and opportunism.

When a politician, a traditional ruler, a youth leader, a fisherman, an indigenous oil company, a multinational oil company and a government official come together in one room to talk about the Niger Delta, will we expect any form of agreement? Beyond the Ogoni Bill of Rights and the Kaiama Declaration, where else can we find the Niger Delta cause articulated?

Who should speak or act on our behalf going forward and do they have our consent? Do they repre-

sent our collective interest and do they report to us? What approach will be most fashionable? Will going back to the creeks, as many people including the Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan seem to be suggesting, be helpful or an avoidable complication? Is the Niger Delta cause the same as Ijaw cause or is it broader?

Without pretending to have all the answers I argue that while the Ijaw is a dominant tribe in the region, there are more than 40 ethnic groups and 250 dialects whose interest we need to consider.

There are the Ogoni, Ibibio, Esan, Bini, Itsekiri, Isoko, Efik, Annang, Oron and others. There cannot be a better time than now to have an inclusive conversation that will give equity and voice to the minority who has been murmuring since the days of the Willink’s Commission.

With the new government coming into power in the coming days, this is a time for the Niger Delta people to undertake a deliberate stocktaking and introspection.

We must be more strategic, more issue based and less adversarial.

This is no longer a time for a few people to select themselves as

representatives and give themselves the license of speaking for the Niger Delta for their own selfenrichment.

Beyond the implementation of the UNEP Report and comprehensive clean up the region, omnibus agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) need to be reviewed and restructured from a patronage centre that it is at the moment to a development agency that it ought to be.

Putting monies into the pockets of the rich all these while has not taken the region anywhere. Those who are funding and abetting the mindless proliferation of small arms within the region must be told that the stray bullet can hit anyone.

The Niger Delta is a regional unit of Nigeria and the plan to develop it should be an integral part of a holistic approach to move the country forward. Those who want to profit from calls for secession should be made to understand the meaning of treason as soon as law enforcement kicks. Those who betrayed the Niger Delta are here with us.. To some people the truth hurts, but to others a debate is a gratifying opportunity to learn.

Finally, Democracy in Nigeria

B Michael Nnebe

ack in January, I published an article on Nigeria Presidential elections and who I would vote for. It is no secret that in spite of Jonathan’s overwhelming shortcomings in his administration of Nigeria I still voted for him. But Nigerians just have had enough, and could not give him a second chance. The election result was not even close, Buhari won convincingly, Nigerians have spoken, and as a democrat I wish Buhari well. As a Nigerian, however, I shall pray for his success, for his success means success for Nigeria.

To win or lose an election is no big deal in civilized countries, but it is a huge deal for a sitting president to lose an election in Africa, and more importantly to concede to being defeated. Election results are often predictable in Nigeria and across Africa, no wonder the huge shock across the world when Jonathan lost and immediately congratulated Buhari. George Washington could have been President for life, but he gave up power after two terms in office. Mandela only served once, and felt he has given all to his country. These two men

will forever be remembered by history for the precedents they set. By this singular act, perhaps Jonathan has possibly bequeathed the best legacy to Nigeria’s democracy, and for this we shall forever be thankful of what appears to be an upcoming smooth transition.

I have stayed off this medium for the past couple of months because the polity was becoming too heated across Nigeria in the months leading to our last election. While I did not want to contribute towards heating up the political discuss, I knew that INEC has finally become truly independent. My last article was specifically about INEC’s independence. I equally made it clear that I believe Jonathan would willingly hand over power if he loses the election. In the end, that was just what happened. The biggest and the untold story of this last election is the beginning of true democracy in Nigeria. It will take several more cycles of free and fair elections before we can talk about the entrenchment of democracy. But surely, it is a good beginning, one which we ought to be proud of. Since that Presidential and National Assembly elections, I have closely followed the governorship and state House of Assem-

blies, as well as all the reruns and supplementary elections. Even in states that are vigorously contested by both parties, the people spoke their minds, often loud and clear with their votes. What hopefully may develop from this is that some politicians may finally begin to see their electorate as powerful enough to get rid of them if they failed to perform. This is a huge win for democracy in Nigeria.

Some have wondered why the people rejected Jonathan so thoroughly after giving him an overwhelming victory four years earlier. Well, the PDP have had it so good for so long, they began to feel invincible. But people like me knew they were all along vulnerable. Jonathan and his administration have failed on many fronts, especially in some of the most important areas in the life of the average Nigerian.

I have written dozens, perhaps hundreds of articles, criticizing, advising, and sometimes warning of consequences. The truth is that they never listened because they felt invincible. If only they listened. Those who pointed out their shortcomings were instead seen as enemies of progress, or haters. But that was not the case for everyone.

People like me voted for Jonathan

in 2011 and wished him well. But that cannot trump my responsibility as a Nigerian, and my desire to see things done right for the sake of our beloved country. In the end they never listened, and the people chose to throw them out. This is what democracy is all about; you are ultimately accountable to those that sent you there in the first place, and if they believe that you have not performed, they can vote you out of office.

What made this election so credible is that nothing was totally predictable. Who could have thought that the PDP will win every seat in much contested Ekiti House of Assembly, or that APC will win the governorship seats in Plateau and Benue states, presidential election as well as two senate seats in Benue. In spite of all odds, the PDP governor retained his seat in Taraba state after a rerun, and Rochas, and APC governor equally retained his seat in Imo state after much wrangling and supplementary elections. In state after state, the people spoke; rewarding those who they believed have performed, and punishing those who have taken their earlier votes for granted. I am truly excited about this development in Nigeria.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

Features

s

Features Editor: 1ƄƑƄƆƌƈ 1 Ɨô ƒƆ Ɛ d Əê Email: gbubemi.godscovenantsnr@dailytimes.com.ng

69G# nd&

‘We’re victims of economy’ Child traders at Odo-Eran market

In spite of the International Child Rights Law of which Nigeria is a signatory, and constant campaigns against child abuse by some State Governments, child street hawking persists nationally. RUTH IJERE talked to some of the children in Lagos and reports.

Everywhere you go in cities, towns and some vil-

lages, child street hawking is no longer an odd sight in Nigeria. In the City of Excellence, the roads will look funny without underage children hawking just about anything.

Children, mostly boys and girls aged between seven and above, are involved in the practice, and they can be seen chasing after moving vehicles in traffic, even on the highways.

Some of these children are not living with their biological parents and our correspondent

learnt that some are part time hawkers when schools are in session, and full time hawkers during holiday breaks.

As late as 9:45 pm on the traffic prone Dopemu bridge, a child of no more than 8 years was still by the road side, dozing; before her was a bowl with few pure water sachets in it. The sight so moved commuters that a woman raised her voice and commanded the child to go home.

“What mother would be at ease CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Africans, African-American and Asians protesting against Depoprovera (Sayana Press) in New York, Nov 2014

Sayana Press, contraceptive of life...or death? ÏÏÏ9Ɛô Ə Ɨ ƍƋ Ɛ depopulate Africa – Scientists. ÏÏÏ9Ɛ ƈ ƌ ƗƆ ƓƈƐ public health in mind; side effects are reversible - Pfizer

Self-injesctable Sayana press

At a Media Parley in Lagos recently, concerned researchers under the aegis of Foundation of African Cultural Heritage (FACH) presented facts and figures of a ‘Grand Plan’ by the

Western World to depopulate Africa and destroy family values among others with Nigeria as their prime target. GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR was there.

The process of the alleged world conspiracy against African families to deplete population and dismount family structures and values is through a cheap contraceptive supposed to help poor women control their birth rate.

Their network includes Family Planning organisations like PPFN, USAID, UKaid, UNFPA, IPAS, Marie Stopes etc. The project is funded by Bill and Melinda Gates foundation and other international donors.

Though the project has been ongoing for many years before now, a wider international campaign started in November 2014 when one of the world’s richest men in the world and his wife, Bill and Melinda Gates, through their Foundation, announced that they have joined the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and Pfizer Incorporated, to ‘help’ 120 million women in the world’s 69 poorest countries with access to voluntary family planning by 2020 at $1 dollar per dose.

While the BBC and other Western Medias of note celebrated and encouraged the move, concerned medical experts across the globe raised alarm over the deadliness and long term consequences of CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

17 Features

CONTRACEPTIVE:

Sayana Press: to be or not?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

using the self injectable contraceptive.

Debilitating harm of Depo Provera and Sayana Press Analysis by experts state that the pharmaceutical Depo Provera belong to a category of dangerous progesterone contraceptives, e.g.

Norplant, which are restricted by the FDA in the United States with “Black Box Warnings”, and branded the “DDT of contraceptives” by human rights advocates, because they are highly toxic and have debilitating and lethal side-effects; also, both have been banned or restricted in Europe, India, Israel and the Middle East.

A former brand in the range, Norplant, was pulled from U.S. markets in 2002 after multimillion dollar settlements by Pfizer.

However, Pfizer now avoids U.S. lawsuits by licensing Norplant to European corporation Bayer, and sells Norplant and DMPA to Africans and developing countries through institutional intermediaries such as the Population Council and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). According to the Wall Street Journal, Pfizer through a partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates will earn approximately 36 billion dollars in new Depo Provera sales annually.

In a swift reaction to the Bill and Melinda Gates announcement on the contraceptives, biomedical scientist wrote to Melinda Gates to question her rationale behind targeting of her project to African women and children.

Part of her letter reads: “$4.6 billion dollars can indeed be your legacy to Africa and other poor parts of the world. But let it be a legacy that leads to life, love and laughter into the world in need.

“I see this $4.6 billion buying us misery. I see it buying us unfaithful husbands. I see it buying us streets devoid of the innocent chatter of children. I see it buying us disease and untimely death. I see it buying us a retirement without the tender loving care of our children. Please Melinda, listen to the heart-felt cry of an African woman and mercifully channel your funds to pay for what we REALLY need.

“Rather than fill our defenseless under-aged brides with Depo-Provera -- which is more like a general anaesthesia that will numb them to the brutality of their reality -- we can better empower them by giving them an education, which becomes the lifeline by which they can climb out of poverty one girl at a time.

Surely education is more expensive than the artificial contraceptive, but it can change the fate and face of Africa as far as poverty is concerned.”

To the African woman, the target of this Western Project, Uju sends this plea: “Of all the ‘help’ Western ‘sympathisers’ decided to offer to poor women, if it does not address important basic needs like poverty, housing, education, employment and quality healthcare, consider any other alternative help a Greek gift; that is, a gift which your enemy will

pass through to destroy you in a way you cannot suspect, and by the time you realise it, it would be too late.”

The offer of contraceptives to African women, the group points out, is to depopulate Nigeria by exposing the women to double risk of breast cancer, prolonged bleeding, delayed return of fertility and severe cases of osteoporosis. All that is grammar: the goal is to make the Nigerian woman sterile, she emphasised.

Daily Times reproduce here an article written by one Lisa Correnti and published in the New York Times of November 14, 2014.

The article chronicled international outcry and condemnation of Depo Provera and Sayana Press and reads in part: New York Times Whitewashes Dangerous Contraceptive for Poor Women

By Lisa Correnti | November 14, 2014 Big pharma, a rich philanthropist, government aid and a children’s non-profit announced yesterday (November 13th) that they would make a controversial injectable contraceptive more widely available to poor women in developing countries.

The New York Times trumpeted the announcement that Pfizer Inc., the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) will provide financing to assure the new self-inject version of Depo Provera – called Sayana Press would reach millions of women in rural areas.

Sayana Press like its predeces-

Uniformed woman with the Contraceptive Sayana Press

‘‘Some 11 scientific studies revealed an increased risk of contracting and transmitting HIV/AIDS among women using Depo Provera. Women using these progesterone contraceptives suffer prolonged bleeding and delayed return of fertility’’ sor Depo Provera, is a dangerous progesterone contraceptive. Some 11 scientific studies revealed an increased risk of contracting and transmitting HIV/AIDS among women using Depo Provera.

Women using these progesterone contraceptives double the risk of breast cancer, have prolonged

bleeding, delayed return of fertility, and are at greater risk to develop severe cases of osteoporosis. For this reason the FDA issued a black-box warning that it shouldn’t be used beyond 2 years.

Yet, in sub-Sahara Africa womCONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Poor families need every Kobo they can get - Hawker CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

at this time of night with her daughter of this age still out in the streets selling pure water?”, a lady in the bus queried. Another interjected that she can’t be living with her biological mother.

A hawker of plantain on Akilo Road who didn’t mind talking to Daily Times said hawking is not only a daily business in the city, it has become a tradition. “The economy is responsible because we parents need every kobo they can get to support the house, while some just want to get their

goods sold. Crops and fruits that are perishable just have to be sold and the more you roam the streets the more you sell.

“It is in Lagos here that hawking became a business; back in my town in Delta, young people would hesitate to hawk in broad daylight, but the Yoruba people made it so easy and even proud.

People are too lazy to go searching for them, then take them to their doorsteps and you will smile home”, Daily Times investigation revealed that most of the young girls sometimes hawk until mar-

riage; many are lured into sex and impregnated while the males hawk until they get “established” and then leave their guardian is the case of 30 years old Matthew who stays at Oke-Ira in Ogba, Lagos.

Matthew Oke has been hawking boiled groundnut for his aunt from since he was 15 and he did that for eleven years before he left at age 26.

“My education was slow, at age 16, I was in Junior Secondary School (JSS1) that was in 2004,” he told Daily Times. “I attended Child-hawkers in the rain along Lateef Jakande road, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Features 18

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

If we don’t hawk, we don’t eat - Child hawkers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

school in the mornings and would hawk in the afternoons till late into the night. Initially, it was hectic. I used to sleep in the class. On the streets while hawking I use to be quite uncomfortable, but seeing people younger than me and even those older also hawking as well, I got used to it.”

Ten years old Monday Brown who hawks Oranges along the Agidingbi road. He told our correspondent that his guardian also hawks. “It is the only way she can make ends meet, so who am I to refuse to hawk?”

One out of five child hawkers on the streets do not attend school; some dropped out while some have never attended. A group of four kids ages seven to nine who were hawking oranges, water melon, walnut and cherry, had this pathetic story to tell: “Because of the items we sell, which customers need mostly in the mornings and early afternoons, our guardians cannot enrol us in school as it would affect sale.”

Teen age hawkers in Lagos

The children confided that there is no day of rest for them; they hawk every day including Sundays, whether tired or sick, in the wet and dry seasons because their guardians would have prepared their products before they wake up in the morning.

Also, Daily Times learnt from the kids that their guardians would not want to record any loss, so these kids are faced with no choice than to hawk each day. ”We are always happy during festive seasons like Christmas and New Year eve because we don’t sell at those times,” they said in their child innocence.

A really touching story came from young female hawkers who have fallen into the hands of men and young guys who would ask them for sex. This happens when they incur losses and cannot return home without the difference.

Our investigations revealed that some of these girls are raped, and sometimes, for nothing, and because they are kids, the men CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Depo Provera is the DDT of contraceptives - Human rights advocates CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

en have been using Depo Provera for years and know nothing of the long term consequences.

PATH developed the self-inject delivery system through funding

by USAID and others. Reproductive health expert Kwame Fosu says the new delivery system will circumvent mandatory informed consent required by the FDA for drugs with black box warnings.

Fosu has been sounding the alarm on the serious side effects to US lawmakers in Washington and to African delegates at the United Nations.

Depo Provera stakeholders — the Gates Foundation, USAID, and reproductive rights groups that claim to have a woman’s best interest, remain quiet on the side effects. And now, a major media outlet.

The NY Times article has no mention of the controversy around progesterone contraceptives. What is reproductive choice or voluntary family planning without informed consent?

The $14 billion for “population assistance” directed to intermediaries like UNFPA, IPPF, Marie Stopes, FHI360, and PATH have

Buffett, Melinda and Bill Gates promoting Sayana Press On CNBC TV on Tuesday

a secure funding stream implementing family planning programs that prioritize long-acting contraceptives like injectables and implants. Some $8 billion is targeted to sub-Sahara Africa.

Partners on this new effort to distribute Sayana Press to women and girls of reproductive age include the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and PATH Depo Provera and the progesterone implant Jadelle (Norplant 2) are targeted to poor women

only. Women in Europe and the US do not use it. Norplant 1 was withdrawn from the US market after thousands of lawsuits filed by women harmed by the side effects. It since has been licensed to be manufactured off-shore.

These aggressive programs will be successful in lowering fertility in these regions but will do nothing to provide economic gain and lift women from poverty. With harmful pharmaceuticals like these, poor women will have less children – but they will remain poor, and now, will have health issues that won’t be addressed by sub-standard healthcare sys-

tems.”

Pfizer responds In response to Daily Times email to Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Incorporated on the international outcry over its controversial contraceptives, details of a press conference held recently were made available to our correspondent.

Denying far reaching allegations against their products, Mr. John Young, President, Pfizer Global Established Pharma Business who is also in charge of Pfizer’s array of generic medicines, said: “Novel Agreement Expands Access to Pfizer’s Contraceptive,

Sayana® Press, for Women Most in Need in the World’s Poorest Countries. Collaboration will help advance progress and support global efforts to increase access to voluntary family planning information, services and contraceptives by 2020. It’s a simple way to increase access to women who want contraception, in a setting where there may be limited healthcare systems.”

On the side effects, Young explained: “Sayana® Press combines a long-acting, reversible, contraceptive with an all-in-one prefilled, single-use, non-reusable Uniject™ injection system. It is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy.

Each subcutaneous injection prevents ovulation and provides contraception for at least 13 weeks (+/- one week). Sayana® Press professional and patient information, including the risk of bone mineral density loss and other warnings and precautions are clearly stated.

Dr. Ariel Pablos-Mendez, Assistant Administrator for Global Health, USAID said at the conference that USAID has invested in Sayana® Press for many years, CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

19 Features

Street hawking is the worst form of child abuse - UNICEF Kid hawkers after school hours CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

run away. Their male counterparts beg until they find those merciful enough to give them a part or the whole amount lost while some venture into stealing.

12 years old Hosanna Emmanuel narrates her ordeal during her early days of hawking. She was abused at nine but just could not tell anyone. “I don’t live with my

parents, so that day, “I lost all the money from my sales of over N400 one day. I was crying when one uncle saw me, asked why I was crying. I told him then he promised to give me the money so I stopped crying. Before he gave me the money, he robbed my body and then told me to always come to him anytime. That incidence brought fear to me that I feared going through that way

for a long time and I became extra careful with any money from my sales,” Hosanna said.

Child street hawking, sometimes called child ‘streetism’ is one of the actions that violate the Child Right Laws on child labour and education deprivation. The United International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) sees street hawking as the worst form of child labour as it exposes chil-

dren to many critical dangers.

Factors that promote child labour includes poverty, exploitation by adults, the rapid growth in population, high rate of unemployment, inflation, low wages and deplorable working conditions in most developing countries. According to Human Rights Watch (2004), India has the largest child labour force in the world with 15 million, while Pakistan

records 7.5million and Senegal with about 500,000. Estimates for Africa shows that 20 per cent of children between the ages 10 to 14 are involved in child labour and street trading. As such, children have come to comprise 17 per cent of Africa’s total labour force. Nigeria alone is estimated to have between 12 and 15 million child labourers found mostly on the streets hawking, at building sites,

Battle rages over Sayana Press contraceptive CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

“and we are thrilled that these efforts have finally come to fruition.

This public-private collaboration will now help more women access injectable contraceptives.

Expanding contraceptive choice is crucial to helping women plan and space their pregnancies, which we believe contributes to the health and economic wellbeing of families and communities across the globe.”

Healthcare giver and social worker formerly attached to SOS Children’s Village, Ms Yomi Adeosun who was at a Press Parley with an international agency, the Foundation of African Cultural Heritage (FACH). She said of Sayana Press: “I am a Family Planning Provider; I studied and did family planning as a course. It was a good thing I attended that programme because I didn’t know that Depo Provera was already causing trouble. Two weeks before that programme, I had a client who said she was through with childbearing, and her husband has said he will no longer use condom.

“I don’t recommend it for people who still want to have children. I met that woman after that conference with FACH and I had

to tell her ‘Please, Mama Bose, don’t use that Depo again’, and I had to tell her that there are some things I heard about it last week.’

Yomi worried that among health professionals, the dangerous side effects of Depo Provera were not known before and even now, because specific warnings did not accompany the packs.

“Back in the 1980s, while I was in active practice, a young unmarried doctor in our group took just one Depo Provera and her menses seized for more than one year. We worked together in some hospitals in Lagos and all the time her menses did not return, and we were all troubled; even as health providers with special bias for family planning, we didn’t know about the side effects of Depo Provera, so how can rural women, even urban women suspect or know anything like that? It is upsetting and worrisome.”

A woman’s advocate and CEO of Kemskis Well Woman Health Center, Kemi Ogunyemi, MSN, MHA, OCN in her reaction to Daily Times vide email wrote: Depo Provera was approved by the FDA in 1990 in response to concerns about the population explosion in the 3rd world. However, countries like India, Can-

‘‘Why target African women who are vulnerable to drugs like this from developed countries?

Should the African woman be the lab rat for a drug that may have side effects that could be fatal in the long run?’’

- Advocate Ogunyemi ada, Zimbabwe and India have had to either ban the drug or have had lawsuits filed against them because of the adverse side effects like Osteoporosis and Cervical cancer.

Now we have Sayana Press, which is basically the same as Depo Provera, except in a new outer wrap. It is in the trial phase in Sub Sahara Africa and not in the US or UK. Why? Why target African women who are vulner-

able to drugs like this from developed countries? Should the African woman be the lab rat for a drug that may have side effects that could be fatal in the long run?

African women are not going to ask questions about possible side effects especially when the drug is being given free.

In Africa, we already have health issues like increase in Cervical and breast cancer, heart attacks, increase in maternal and child mortality etc. The last think we need is an increase in long-term illnesses and diseases in the quest to prevent pregnancy for free.

Officials of the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) at Palmgrove, Ikorodu Road, Lagos declined to comment on Sayana Press and referred all inquiries to the ministry of health.

A top official at the office of the reappointed Federal Minister of Health who craved anonymity, told our correspondent in a telephone chat that the Honourable Minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu is busy with preparations for the May 29th programme.

Similarly, visits made to office of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Alausa was unsuccessful

as the office is virtually empty of senior officers. An insider hinted that no business would be attended to until the incoming government comes in come May 29th.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation When Daily Times contacted Bill & Melinda Foundation through their internet link, the following statement was posted on their website: “Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty.

“In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people -especially those with the fewest resources - have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Sue DesmondHellmann and Co-Chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

For further information, please contact media@gatesfoundation.org.

20

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

Business Times

s

Business Editor: Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Email: emmanuelogbonnaya@dailytimes.com.ng

Wapic’s 5yr-plan targets industry top spot Kayode Adelowokan

than’s administration: in 2011 it recorded N180 billion; N200 billion in 2012, N285 billion in 2013 and estimated N300 billion in 2014.

Before Jonathan’s administration, the industry received N27.7 billion, N33.1 billion, N44.5 billion and N55.9 billion premiums in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 respectively.

The insurance industry also pooled a total written premium of N69.4 billion, N76.3 billion, N82.3 billion and N100.6 billion in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, noted that the Nigerian insurance industry

has witnessed tremendous changes in recent times owing to the new reforms embarked upon by National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

These reforms according to Mr. Daniel, include the introduction of Risk Based Supervision, migration to International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) from the Nigerian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (NGAAP) and Market Conduct Reforms.

Similarly, under President Jonathan, the No Premium, No Cover policy was fully implemented and has in turn been adopted in a country like Ghana.

In a move to set pace for other insurance companies in Nigeria, Wapic Insurance Plc has set out plans to be among the top two insurance companies in the country by 2019.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of the firm, stated this at the Company’s 56th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos.

Aig-Imoukhuede, revealed that the implementation of the company’s five-year strategy will transform Wapic into a leading insurance company in the country.

While speaking on the company’s performance in the 2014 financial year ended, being the first year of implementation of its five-year plan, the Chairman noted that Wapic outperformed industry growth in Gross Written Premium (GWP) as it posted 40 per cent growth as against an industry average of 15 per cent.

“Equally, we have also improved our other financial indices as evidenced by our maiden A.M Best rating of B- , which makes us only the 3rd Nigerian insurer to achieve an international rating. We are therefore on the right track and we are making progress,” he said.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, also said that the firm made a change to its business model, culture and other facets of its operations, saying, it equally launched its new corporate identity in Nigeria, which resonated positively with customers and other stakeholders.

“We realigned our customer segmentation to deliver quality service to our clients across strategic business units and to reinforce our promise to serve our customers with excellence, empathy and expertise,” he add-

Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

are doing in emerging economies around the world.

OPIC-supported projects in health, education, agriculture, renewable energy, small and medium enterprise financing and other sectors are helping create jobs, improve lives and stimulate economic growth in critical development sectors. Impact Awards will be given in five categories including Innovation, development im-

pact; access to finance; renewable resources and American small business.

According to the statement, “Impact award winners were selected through a rigorous process that considered their focus in priority sectors or regions, innovation in overcoming difficulties, quality of results, risk mitigation practice, development impact and other factors, such as serving

L - R: Ashish Desai, Group Managing Director, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman, Board of Directors and Bode Ojeniyi, Executive Director; All of Wapic Insurance Plc at the Company’s 56th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos.

How insurance industry grossed nearly N1 trillion under Jonathan’s administration Kayode Adelowokan Without mincing word, the growth in the Nigeria insurance industry under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration is highly commendable as it recorded almost N1 trillion in its Gross Premium Income (GPI) between 2011 and 2014.

The GPI, which amounted to N965 billion, grew by 14.8 per cent, from the N840 billion recorded within a period of 10 years before Jonathan took over as president in 2011.

The breakdown of income recorded by the sector in Jona-

OPIC plans impact award for development partners

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has announced plans to recognise some of the organisation’s outstanding partners with the 2015 OPIC Impact Awards for excellence in development.

The awards, which will be presented on May 19, will highlight the important work OPIC clients

ed.

Stating that Wapic Insurance commissioned a new processing Centre for seamless treatment of retail requests, he added that its operational evolution has now positioned the company to consolidate its strategic objectives and the brand promise.

The company, according to him, grew its Profit after Tax (PAT) from a loss position in 2013 to N237 million in 2014, adding that Gross Written Premium grew by 38 per cent from N3.76 billion in 2013 to N5.2 billion in 2014.

“Solvency Ratio stood at 171 per cent which was significantly above the regulatory threshold of 100 per cent and remains one of the highest in the industry.

Your company is now well positioned to deliver greater shareholder value in coming years given the significant changes in strategy, business focus and capacity,” he assured shareholders.

In the same vein, the Managing Director, Wapic Insurance Plc, Mr. Ashish Desai, said in 2014, the company launched its new brand identity as well as its new corporate logo, stating that this generated both positive commentary from across all stakeholder groups and equally created positive momentum for its business development efforts.

The group, he said, achieved a 38 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) growth on Gross Written Premium (GWP), an increase in the group’s underwriting profit of 1,272 per cent and a return to profitability with a Profit After Tax(PAT) position of N236 million.

The firm recorded a 38 per cent premium growth as it increased to N5.204 billion in 2014 from N3.761 billion it reported in its 2013 financial year end.

as a model in project development and execution.”

The OPIC Impact Awards were launched in 2014 and these inaugural awards recognised eight clients working in regions from Iraq to Togo to Honduras.

“We’re looking forward to honouring the winners on May 19 and sharing more details about each project in the coming weeks,” the statement read.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

21 Brands & Marketing

Nigerian brewers striding confidently in an unstable economy The Nigerian Economic landscape has witnessed unprecedented headwinds in recent times. However, the brewery Industry seems to be doing well amidst these economic avalanches. GODWIN ANYEBE reports.

No doubt the uncertainty in the economy occasioned by the age of global oil glut and falling prices, has created a sense of panic and caution in the economies of oil producing nations, who have resorted to many stringent fiscal policies to buffer the negative impact.

One of such solutions was the austerity measure adopted by the Nigerian government, which translates into a cut in expenditure.

Being a mono-product economy depending solely on oil, it is given that whatever affects the price of the commodity will equally affect Nigeria’s planning and budget.

Speaking against this backdrop the coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the decision to trim down revenue projection was part of measures to maintain economic stability, boost oil revenues, reduce waste and plug loopholes.

So, the government will introduce Luxury Good tax and restrict foreign travels and training for civil servants, among other measures.

Therefore from official quarters, this new austerity measures were meant to insulate the economy from the falling crude oil prices which is a global issue.

Though some financial analysts criticised the development, others considered it a welcome development for the purpose of continuity. For some of them, every time and season in life comes with its own challenges, the oil producing countries of the world are currently passing through their own trying time, and Nigeria is not an exception. All Nigerians need to do now is to ensure that all hands are deck in order to come out with a workable solution.

In all these, the Nigerian Beer Industry seems to be waxing stronger, with Guinness Nigeria signing a memorandum of understanding of about ten billion naira with Standard Chartered Bank recently in Lagos in order to jack up business activities and give shareholders a good value for their investment.

On the other hand, Nigeria

Breweries has promised their shareholders a mouth-watering return on investment for the year 2014, an indication that the company did well despite the dwindling economy.

Speaking on shareholders dividend for the year 2014 at a pre annual general meeting press briefing in Lagos, the Managing Director, Nigeria Breweries PLC, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde disclosed that; “the directors are pleased to recommend to shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, the declaration of a total dividend of thirty seven billion, two hundred and five million, two and thirty three thousand, six hundred and forty eight naira only.”According to him, the Directors accept responsibility for the preparation of the annual financial statements to give a true and fair view in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS} and in the manner required by the Companies and Allied Matters Act of Nigeria, Cap C20, Law a of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and the Financial Council Reporting Council of Nigeria.

Commenting on the merger between Nigeria Breweries and Consolidated Breweries PLC, he noted that; “following the merger with Consolidated Breweries Plc, the enlarged company obtained an eighty nine per cent equity interest in the Benue Bottling company. The subsidiary is an entity with no business activities that holds land, buildings and some idle production assets.”

While reviewing the company’s operation for the year under review, he said that; “in the course of the year under review, the company concluded the legal process which culminated in a merger with Consolidated Breweries Plc resulting in an enlarged company.

The statements of financial position for the year are therefore a combination of the financial position of the old Nigerian Breweries Plc and dissolved Consolidated Breweries Plc”.

Reacting to the impact of the company in the agricultural sector of the Nigerian economic, he said that it has been positive. His word; “the company, in conjunction with Heineken Supply Chain B.V. of the Netherlands and other Heineken companies, is involved in activities aimed at development of new hybrid sorghum varieties, with potential of increasing the yield/output for sorghum farmers as well as improving the

quality of sorghum malt, which is a major input in our operations. Two high-yielding hybrid sorghum varieties have been developed and registered by the company; the process of commercialising their production is ongoing. The company has a subsisting consultancy agreement with Nigeria professor on the development of sorghum seeds”.

Though the Managing Director admitted the fact that, the insecurity challenges in some part of the country had an effect on the

distribution of their products, but that does not stop them from employing Nigerians in their various breweries across the country.

On the employments standard, he stated that the company does not discriminate when it comes to employments.

His words; “Nigerian Breweries Plc is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on any grounds.’’

Thus, we provide employment opportunities to physically challenged persons. However, this also

goes beyond the need to ensure that there is no discrimination against such persons, but driven by a deep conviction that even in disability, there could be immense ability. At present, we have eight physically challenged persons on our employment.”

For him, one of the things that keep them going despite the economic down tone is their cost leadership which has help them to remain strong and even new break grounds in terms of brand exploration.

L-R: R&B Singer, Kola Soul; Hip Hop/Reggae Singer Terry G and Innovation Commercialization Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Ubani Christian at the Smirnoff Double Side Party to launch Smirnoff Ice Double Black with Guarana at the weekend.

Diageo unveils new Smirnoff flavour in unusual venue Godwin Anyebe Smirnoff vodka from the stables of Diageo Brands Nigeria has launched its new variant, Smirnoff Ice Double Black with Guarana amidst fanfare in the most unexpected venue – an auto workshop.

The Double Side launch party was the first of its kind in Nigeria as guests were welcomed to an unconventional venue for a party- a thriving auto workshop turned into a party venue.

Arriving at the venue located in Lagos, guests were eager to experience the uniqueness and dynamics of taking the party to such an unusual venue.

Unveiling the brand, the Head

of Marketing, Spirits and RTD, Liz Ashdown said Guinness Nigeria is driven by innovation and the company is committed to launching products that meet more of their consumers’ needs and occasions.

“Smirnoff Ice Double Black with Guarana has been produced to satisfy the quest of our younger consumers who want to make less obvious choices because that’s what makes their nights better and more memorable. The refreshing taste of this new Smirnoff variant is the outcome of an extensive research that resulted in the right blend of the best ingredients” Liz Ashdown said.

Regarding the possibilities of

the new variant putting sales pressure on the existing variants, Ashdown explained that “we have provided consumers with greater choice and with a drink that is more relevant for higher tempo occasions than many other offerings in the market”.

“The #doubleside idea is the celebration of an alternative side of life –be that of places doubling as something more epic or oneself that is more expressive and open to new experiences. The double side party brought this to life through the unexpected performances and location – an auto workshop doubling as a party venue at night” Ashdown further clarified.

Public Notice 22 UNEN ISONG IBIBIO INITIATIVE

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

LIFE IMPACTING WORLD DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

VICTORIOUS IMPACT MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named initiative has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Obong Raymond Jacob Ekpenyong( Jp)- President.

2. Charles Etuk Samuel-Secretary.

3. Hon. Ime Macaulay Utin.

4. Mrs. Udeme Etim Utip.

5. Emmanuel Edem Okon.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Dr. Mccarthy Dereal 2. David Fedricks - President.

3. Mrs Glorious Adaeze C.B Fedricks -Vice President.

4. Evang. Akintoye Omole.

5. Apostle I.S Ayebakuro.

6. Engr. Gabriel S. Etim

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. James Olugbenga Ogunbayo -Chairman 2. Sunday Andrew Smith -Sec. 3. James Olakunle Afolayan - Treasurer 4. Omotundele Augusti Ajado

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:To foster unity, peace, love and harmony among the indigenes and bear true allegiance to our state and country.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: OBONG RAYMOND JACOB EKPENYONG(JP)-(PRESIDENT).

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: President

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:1.To build men and women of integrity for God in all ramifications.

2. To build men to take charge of territories for God. 3. To preach and spread the gospel of Christianity and God. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Sunday Andrew Smith

PURE - LIFE BELIEVERS ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL

GOODMORNING JESUS MINISTRY

LOVE-PEACE OF GOD BIBLE MINISTRY

This is to inform the General Public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under ‘Part C’ of the Company And Allied Matters Act, 1990.

This is to inform the General Public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under ‘Part C’ of the Company And Allied Matters Act,1990.

This is to inform the General Public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under ‘Part C’ of the Company And Allied Matters Act,1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Pastor Alade Ojo Eniola - General Overseer 2. Sis. Ajose Senapon Toyin 3. Bro. Ejirinade Adewale David

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Pastor Samuel Ademola Oruku - President 2. Mrs. Kikelomo. Mosunmola Oruku - Secretary 3. Elder Olasina Philip Olayori Akanbi 4. Olumuyiwa Olutola

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Pastor Adewumi Sunday Abraham - General Overseer 2. Deaconess Christiana Yetunde Adebayo 3. Pastor Sunday Tosin Ayoola 4. Evangelist Eyitayo Johnson. Falana - Secretary 5. Miss Omotolani Praise Adebayo 6. Olorunfemi Omotayo Olarewaju 7. Mrs. Ibironke Roseline Fasipe

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To preach the full gospel of Jesus Christ with infallible proofs all over the world.

2. To raise up a formidable militant army of Christ for the end time harvest of souls unto God’s kingdom 3. To bring many sons unto glory through teaching, preaching and healing ministries as the Lord of the harvest has appointed.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, FCT,Abuja,within 28 days from the date of this publication SIGNED: TRUSTEES

HUMANI ALAGA HIGH SCHOOL OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION The general public is hereby notified that the above name ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES: 1. Agboola Musiliu Olaide - President 3. Moradeyo Kamar Adeola 5. Chidoro Emmanuel Bush 7. Olaniran Josiah 9. Akalumhe Williams

2. Oniya Mobolanle Oladipo - Sec. 4. Nwosu Chioma 6. Nnegbe Innocent 8. Oyetunde Sule Mudasiru 10. Dandy Abdulakeem Olabode

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To promote educational and infrastructural development of the school.

2. To care for member’s welfare.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, District Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: TRUSTEES.

MIGHTY GOODLUCK BROTHERS’ CLUB OF NIGERIA

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ 2. Engage in healing ministration 3. Engage in charitable need Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, FCT,Abuja,within 28 days from the date of this publication

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the whole world, through the preaching of the word 2. To bind the broken hearted and set captives free from Satan’s bondage 3. To prepare avenues for heavenly saint that Christ might be glorified.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, FCT,Abuja,within 28 days from the date of this publication

SIGNED BY:- O.I OLATUNBOSUN (MRS)

SIGNED: MRS. KIKELOMO MOSUNMOLA ORUKU

AKUNGBA PROGRESSIVE CLUB The General Public is hereby notified that the above named CLUB has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Bello Najimu 3. Mr. Olukoju Musa 5. Mr. Salau Suleman

2. Mr. Musa Tiamiyu 4. Mr. Oye Babs

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To contribute to the development and progress of the Akungba-Akoko, especially, Ondo State.

2. To create a corporate umbrella by which means we could participate and benefit from the government economic/social political and some other means programmes.

3. To educate and promote the social and cultural norms of Akungba 4. To promote unity co-operation, social well-being and understanding among the members.

5. To identify with other clubs and association in the federation with view to stimulating the progress of the club.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed: Suleiman Mohammed Jaji, Esq. 08036207463.

2014 WISE-WHITE CLUB

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to notify the general public of the loss of original Certificate of Occupancy NO. NS 2225 belonging to HRH OBA STANLEY KAYODE OWA, issued by Nasarawa State Government on the 28th day of January, 2003. All effort to trace the said Document has proved abortive.

The general public should please take note and if found, please return to any nearest police station.

AN-NAFAQOH MUSLIM FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby informed that the above named Club has applied to the Corporate Affair Commission for registration under part “C “ of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

This is to inform the General Public that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Company and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Mr. Agugoesi Paul Ikechukwu 3. Mr. Agbafor Chidi 5. Mr. Oguegbu Livinus

Trustees: 1. Ishola Taiwo 2. Peter Esther Kehinde 3. Adigun Fehintola Adenike 4. Olalere Olayinka Monsuru 5. Adekunle Ibrahim Ishola

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Adeleke Kayode Kareem 2. Inaolaji Wasiu 3. Prof. Aderinto Adeyinka 4. Dr. Olajide Murtada Olalekan 5. Barr. Lateef Raheem

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To join hands with other interested bodies to bring developments in Nigeria 2. To help the needy including our members who are in need of help

Aim and objective To cater for the welfare of members

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:To cater for the less privileged in the society

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar- general, corporate affair commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Irosi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed : Trustees.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED BY:- Trustees

2. Mr. Okpala Bernard Emeka 4. Mr. Nkwobundun Emmanuel Ikenna 6. Mr. Oraegbunem Sunday Cletus

FRONT - RUNNERS CLUB OF NIGERIA

GOOD NEWS TO ALL NATIONS BIBLE CHURCH

ABE- IGI SENATE CLUB

The general public is hereby notified that the above named club has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part c of the companies and allied matters act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above name club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The general public is hereby informed that the above named CLUB has applied to the Corporate Affair Commission for registration under part “C “ of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Arobadade Kazeem Isaac 2. Adegoke Saheed Adewale 3. Fowope Alayo Bankole.

THE TRUSTEES: 1. Williams E. Ajayi - Chairman 2. Moyosore Williams - Secretary.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Raphew Babatunde Fahm - President 2. Cyril Olusegun Akintunde - Secretary 3. Yadua Gabriel Akomoh 4. Rabiu Adio Oluwa 5. Fatahi Olatunji Kasumu 6. Hammed Adeshina Adetoro

Aims and Objectives : 1. To associate with people of like minds 2. To foster unity among members of the association 3. To promote the interest of members of the association 4. To safeguard the professional interest of members.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off aguiyi ironsi street, maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: M. A. AKOLADE. (SOLICITOR)

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ 2. To set the captives free 3. To help the less privileged, orphans and widows in the society Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, District Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: CHAIRMAN

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To create a forum where members can meet to discuss the affairs of the Club in general 2. To strengthen the bond of relationship amongst members 3. To foster the spirit of togetherness and cooperation amongst all members.

4. To keep all members in close touch with one another and to render assistance to members and less privileged citizens of the society.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar- general, corporate affair commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Irosi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED BY: PRESIDENT

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

UNILAG accedes to students’ demand, shifts exams Sam Nzeh

ÏÏÏ The authorities of the Uni-

versity Lagos have announced a shift in the date of the first semester examination for the 2014/2015 academic session to May 18, 2015.

The examination had been fixed to commence next week.

Confirming the new date, on Thursday, to Daily Times, Assistant Registrar, Information, Mr. Olagoke Oke, said the new date was as a result of the effect of the institution’s convocation, which held last week, as well as the challenges experienced with power and other allied services in the last one week.

He added that the authorities of the institution had set in motion measures to address the challenges.

It would be recall that the academic activities at the university were paralysed, on Wednesday, following students’ protest for a shift in the examination and improved power supply and water on campus.

Sambo commissions electricity project in Benue

Sambisa: Adamawa govt to rehabilitate freed hostages Tom Garba Yola

ÏÏÏAdamawa

State Governor, Bala James Ngilari, has assured the 275 rescued women from Sambisa forest by the military of government continued support.

Ngilari, who stated this while presenting truckloads of food items to the victims of Boko Haram insurgency, explained that his administration had the responsibility to continue to cater for the plight of internally displaced per-

sons as a result of insurgency.

He said that since the inception of his administration, the tide had turned against the insurgents following the engagement of the local hunters, vigilante and the military, while the plight of IDPs had remained the priority of his administration and called on the in-coming administration to do same.

He said he was also affected by the scourge as three persons were murdered in his home by insurgents, adding that government

had intervened at various times by providing food, clothing and medicaments to the IDPs at various camps across the state.

A camp co-ordinator from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sa’ad A. Bello, said at the peak of the insurgency, two hundred and seventy thousand IDPs were hosted across camps in the state, while over thirty thousand were sheltered in Malkohi camp.

He said out of the rescued victims, sixty nine were women,

Daniel Jolly Bauchi

ÏÏÏThe Governor-elect of

Yuguda

Bauchi State, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has expressed his determination to probe and recover all state resources embezzled by Peoples Democratic Party-led administration.

He stated this, on Thursday,

during the inauguration of Bauchi State Re-branding project held at Awalah Hotel, Bauchi.

Represented by the Deputy Governor-elect, Eng. Nuhu Gidado, Abubakar, who expressed worry over the financial recklessness in the state, said “unfortunately, what Bauchi as a state is currently brandishing is immeasurable financial recklessness,

Makurdi

ÏÏÏThe

Sambo

while the remaining were children not more than eighteen years of age.

He said the victims’ plight was pathetic and pointed out that education and commerce needed to be stabilised in areas affected by insurgency, as people returned to their homes. The military had last Saturday rescued about two hundred and seventy women and children, when it invaded Sambisa forest, a stronghold of the insurgents and brought them to the NEMAmanaged Malkohi camp.

Bauchi gov-elect vows to probe Yuguda

Freddie Adamgbe Federal Government, on Thursday, commissioned the 330-132-33KV electricity transmission substation situated at Apir, Makurdi, Benue State, with an assurance that the project, executed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, would enhance steady supply of power to boost the economy of the entire north-central part of the country.

The Vice President, Namadi Sambo, while performing the ceremony, stated further that Benue State would no longer suffer from the old epileptic power supply it had been grappling with, since the creation of the state, in 1976.

23 News

Cross section of students of University of Lagos during a peaceful protest on the infringement of the University management on their right at the University premises, Akoka, Lagos… on Wednesday

which has culminated in massive indebtedness.

Abubakar, who also decried the menace of youth restiveness in the state, said: “Now that our purposeful opposition and genuine progressive advocacy has culminated into a mandate of the generality of Bauchi State populace, we are charged to do things differently. We are committed to applying our intellect, maximising our will and leveraging our relationships to make things work and fulfill our promises.

“On assumption of duty, we will focus on our quick win programmes, which will include the tackling of youth restiveness, poor environmental sanitation and widespread corrupt practices.”

He added that state resources that had been frittered away would be recovered. This would be in addition to overhauling the civil service that is currently dysfunctional, indolent and lacking.

Abubakar revealed that a major commercial bank had stepped forward to assist the in-coming administration to conduct a forensic audit of the entire state and local government civil service personnel status, with a view to developing a biometric data.

Abuja

S’Court decides Aregbesola’s fate May 27

day reserved its decision on the appeal filed by Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against the decision of Court of Appeal, Akure Division, which affirmed the election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state.

The apex court reserved the judgment after counsel to the par-

ties had adopted their briefs of arguments and addressed the court on the merit of their cases.

Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), lead counsel to the appellant, Iyiola Omisore, told the court to set aside the concurrent judgments of Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal and Court of Appeal, Akure, as there were no concurrent findings. He prayed the court to nullify

Andrew Orolua

ÏÏÏThe Supreme Court on Thurs-

the August 9, 2014 governorship race for its irregularities.

Citing the Tribunal’s record, Izinyon (SAN), said the tribunal identified the irregularities, which marred the election but failed to pronounce on it.

“The Court of Appeal did not make any finding as it ought to do in respect of the alleged irregularities,” he submitted.

On his part, the lead counsel to Aregbesola, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the appeal and allow his crossappeal for the simple reason that the 2nd respondents (All Peoples Progressives Congress) was never a party to the petition. He maintained that the appellant changed the name of the party without leave of the court.

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

May 29: Jonathan promises completion of Abuja projects

Octogenarian celebrates 50 years of priesthood

Idu Jude and Egena Egena

Ï Ï Ï Eighty-year-old

weeks to hand over of power to the new administration that would pilot the affairs of the country, for the next four years, President Goodluck Jonathan, has promised to ensure a speedy completion of three major road networks within Abuja, before he leaves office on May 29.

Jonathan, said this on Thursday in Abuja, while on official inspection of all three major transport projects being carried out under his administration.

The projects include the eight-lane, airport carriage way, the Abuja metropolitan rail transport project, as well as the Kubwa-Kaduna eight-lane carriage way.

Speaking while on the inspection of the projects, Jonathan promised that the projects, which were about to be completed would re-

ceive presidential attention.

He said that the Presidency and the Ministry of Finance were putting heads together to ensure that the remaining amount of money was paid soon to enable the contractors complete the projects.

“We will make sure that before we leave office that the projects would be completed. This is so important owing to the fact that the airport road is a major entrance to the nation’s capital city. It is penitent that the project is completed quickly.”

Speaking before riding on the Abuja metropolitan rail transport, being built by a Chinese company, Jonathan expressed confidence in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, whom he said with his zeal to work, ensured that the rail transport project was being attended to.

“I am quite happy and grateful to the Minister

MAUREEN SADIASAHI A. OGUAMA

ELIZABETH YETUNDE AJALA

GBEMISOLA BOLAJOKO ONWUZULIKE

I formally know and addressed as Miss Maureen Sadiasesi Atubu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maureen Sadiasahi A. Oguama. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid. The General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Yetunde Banjo, now wished to be known and addressed as Mrs. Elizabeth Yetunde Ajala.

All former documents bearing my former name remain valid. The General public should take note.

I, formerly Miss Gbemisola Bolajoko Falana now wish to be known as Mrs. Gbemisola Bolajoko Onwuzulike. All documents remain valid the general public should please take note

Abuja

ÏÏÏFew

and the contractors for the work so far done, even when much is still needed to be done. This administration is doing much. I would advise that all the major eight cities of the nation would emulate the FCT. Our target is at the national level and to link all the major cities of the federation, and for them to key into the intra-city rail transportation project to ease transportation hiccups and for the central authority to help them where necessary,” he said.

Mohammed pleaded with the Federal Government to help make funds available to enable contractors wind up the technical work. He said that the three projects with 98 per cent completion had about ten to fifteen billion naira in payment.

“This administration will be happy to write its name in gold. With the completion of these projects, we can possibly remember those

Jonathan

days with traffic gridlock at all the major entrances of the major city of Abuja, but with the eight-lane road networks, at the Airport Road and the Kubwa-KadunaAbuja entrance, residence of Abuja can no longer feel the pain, but with much fund, we can possibly ensure its completion,” he said.

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

NEWLIFE POWER OF GOD DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

The general public is hereby informed that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affair Commission for registration under part “C “ of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Amodu Samson Ajijolajesu 3. Fatunla Joseph Olusola 5. Akinfenwa Christiana Iyabode 7. Oladejo Wasiu Ishola

The Board of Trustees: 1. Prophet Friday Gabriel 2. Akpan Sunday David 3. Udoh Friday Isonguyo 4. Jacob Julie Grace.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To preach the gospel our Lord Jesus Christ to the whole world 2. To preach salvation, healing and deliverance 3. To raise disciples of strong Christian and solid faith

SIGNED BY: AMODU SAMSON AJIJOLAJESU

Bolaji Omosanya lbadan

ÏÏÏSome protesting students of University of lbadan, who were showing their grievances over non-prompt treatment of a colleague by the work-

ers at the Health Centre of the institution, who later died, almost lynched the correspondent of New Telegraph newspapers, on Thursday, in lbadan.

Mr. Sola Adeyemo, the reporter, who was the university to capture the demonstration, which spanned Mokola-Ojoo axis, was assaulted by the angry youths, while recording the event on his phone.

This was as a senior official of the school was addressing the students to stay calm and that their complaint was already being addressed.

Oshiomhole’s aide proffers solution to cult wars Titus Akhigbe

ÏÏÏAs

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, District Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed by: Secretary

ZION MOUNTAIN OF TRANSFORMATION MINISTRY

ADAZI-ANI TOWN UNION, LAGOS BRANCH

The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part c of the companies and allied matters act 1990.

This is to notify the general public that the above name ASSOCIATION has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part c of the companies and allied matters act no 1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Pastor Ayodele Tayo (chairman).

2. Pastor Taiwo James.

3. Mr. Oluwafemi Awoleye (secretary).

4. Mrs. Ayodele Opeyemi.

The Trustees are: 1. Chief Josephat N.J Madueke.

3. Sir Ikechukwu Okafor.

5. Mr Chukwura Oguonu.

7. Mr celestine Igwilo.

2. Chief Anthony Maduadichie.

4. Sir Amechi Ebeledike.

6. Mr Timothy Offor.

Aims and Objectives: To propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ through evangelism, educational, medical and welfare means and through other contemporary missionary activities.

Aims and Objectives: 1. To promote peace, love, unity and progress among ADAZI-ANI town union indgenes Resident in Lagos.

2. To discuss matters of social interest that will be of the general interest of the members and ADAZI-ANI in general.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off aguiyi ironsi street, maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission plot 420 tigris crescent, off Aguiyi ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: secretary.

UI students assault journalist

admirers for supporting him, through his religious journey, expressed joy for the backing offered him by friends, relations and parishioners of Holy Spirit Parish, Omagba Phase1 and thanked God for keeping him alive till date.

A traditionalist and exseminarian, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, said he was at the occasion to show solidarity to a “straight forward and unassuming man of God”, whom he said has distinguished himself as an honest servant of God and wished Obiagba more years on earth.

Benin

Aims And Objectives: 1. To preach the word of God 2. To deliver the afflicted.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar- general, corporate affair commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Irosi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Onitsha

Catholic priest, Monsignor (Dr.) Nathaniel Obiagba of the Archdiocese of Onitsha, was, on Thursday, lauded by parishioners, friends and relations, during the celebration of his 50 years anniversary, which also coincided with his 50 years ordination as a priest in the Catholic Church.

Obiagba, who is also the archdiocesan property lawyer, who used the occasion to thank all his numerous

LIFEWAY FREEDOM MINISTRY INT’L

2. Amodu Adebayo Joseph 4. Adedigba Samuel 6. Faleti Funmi Aina

Dilionye Dilibe

Signed by. Barr. MAYOR ASIEGBU

the cult violence in Edo State, which has claimed over 25 lives, continues unabated, concerned Edo citizens, including a chieftain and youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Tony Adun, has appealed to warring cult groups to sheathe their sword and allow peace reign, in the quest for a sustainable economic growth and peaceful co-existence of all and sundry in the state.

Adun, who decried the spate of killings in the state, called on Governor Adams Oshiomhole and President Goodluck Jonathan to wade into the senseless killings and wanton destruction of proper-

Oshiomhole

ties in the on-going cult violence.

He decried the killings, noting that it had only done the youths no good but, also, brought untold hardship on the people of the state as mothers and their children were not spared in killings, which has drastically affected the social economic activities in the state.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

LP urges Buhari to ignore govs’ request on workers’ wages Henry Omunu Abuja

Ă?Ă?Ă?National

Chairman of Labour Party, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, on Thursday, advised President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), to ignore the request by serving and in-coming All Progressives Congress (APC) governors requesting for money to pay workers’ salaries.

Abdulsalam, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja while slamming the APC governors, asked Buhari not to accede to their request and accused the governors of

been lazy by failing to look inward to generate revenue, instead of depending solely on Federal allocations. “The President-elect should not give any kobo in the name of special bailout or intervention to states to pay salaries when he takes over. “It is unfortunate and uncalled for, that governors, most of whom operate in their states flamboyantly, mismanage their states resources. Who says they cannot pay salaries, and why are they asking the President-elect to bail them out?

"Is it the same people

calling for change that are asking to be helped to pay salaries? They are only trying to cover-up for their godfathers. And, where do they want the incoming administration to get the money to support them? Are they saying the federal government should take over the payment of their salaries? “Buhari should not agree to their subtle threat or request. If they don’t want to be prudent on their state resources, they should be made to stop the mismanagement of the resources and allocations given to them by the federal govern-

6

$ 3

& # # 0 % ( ( % ! 4 5 3 &&

2

ment,� Abdulsalam said.

He also advised Gen. Buhari to prioritise getting the states to work out legal means of getting internally generated revenues and to explore the natural resources in their states.

Buhari

Ikeja NBA unveils plans for 2015 Law Week Titilope Joseph

Ă?Ă?Ă?

The Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), will on Sunday, May 10, 2015, begin its 2015 Law Week, with a special thanksgiving service at the Arch Bishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, Ikeja, by 9am.

The theme of this year's law week is 'Curtailing the culture of impunity in our + , $ #$

- $ (

$national life'.

% ! & At a press briefing in Ike# )$ '

ja on Thursday, Chairman, Law Week Planning Com. . ( ) *

mittee, 2015, and the Lagos $

)

State Solicitor General/ % !

& Permanent Secretary of # %

the Ministry of Justice, Mr. /0

1 ( ) ) Lawal Pedro (SAN), argued that , "The culture of impunity exist in every segment

of our national life. When

someone acts in a wrong !!! " manner or unlawfully with impunity, it means that his actions have no consequence." # " The Solicitor General $ % also said that the culture & " "' (" ) * + $,- , . of impunity takes several /" " + /. " forms and creates a climate of insecurity, breeds cor0 1 2, ) " 3

,0 4 ruption and lack of develop/" ment.

According to Lawal, "there is the need to start curtailing the culture of impunity in our national life."

!"

25 News

'Tosin Ajuwon Akure

Ă?Ă?Ă?The

Ondo State government said its Cocoa Revolution Project has won the Chocolate Silver Awards at the just concluded 7th edition of the annual Academy of Chocolate Award, held at the Fortnum & Mason Piccadilly, London.

The Commissioner for Information in the state, Kayode Akinmade, who disclosed this on Thursday, in a statement issued to journalists in Akure, the state capital, said the product received a great boost by clinching the deserved award.

Akinmade said the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who was represented at the ceremony by his Special Adviser on Agriculture, Ademola Olorunfemi, attracted all major Cocoa/chocolate and Confectionery industry stakeholders across the globe.

He noted that Ondo state was mentioned at the ceremony as the only Chocolate award winner from West Africa that produces 75 percent of global Cocoa Bean output.

Akinmade, also revealed that a Washington DC based outfit, SPAGnVOLA, had earlier in the year pre-

Ondo wins London Chocolate Award for Cocoa Revolution sented the Ondo chocolate bar for the competition which has fetched the state a silver.

Earlier in the day, the Chairman of the State Cocoa Revolution Implementation Committee, Jibayo Oyebade, said cocoa produced in the state for chocolate production had received world certification and recognition.

Oyebade added that the product had already been presented to the partnering firm overseas, Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate firm in Netherland.

"We taught our Coca farmers on how to improve the quality of their Cocoa through proper fermentation.

"Our partners have taken our sample, and are satisfied with it. I am proud that our effort has yielded good results. We want to reproduce chocolate from our own cocoa", he said.

HOSTCOM chieftain faults bill to scrap Delta Oil Commission Joe Ogbodu Warri

Ă?Ă?Ă? Former Delta Central

chairman of Host Communities of Nigeria oil and gas (HOSTCOM), Delta State, Chief Moses Irimisose, has faulted the new bill being sponsored by the state government to scrap Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

Irimisose, also criticised Chief Wellington Okirika, former chairman of Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), for supporting the bill to scrap the commission.

Speaking to Daily Times, Irimisose, said “Okirika has betrayed the host communities for whatever reason best known to him because, if he now thinks the bill was right so what stopped him from implementing it when he was chairman of

DESOPADEC under Uduaghan's government".

He said that Okirika's claim that DESOPADEC was an interim arrangement was wrong, noting that Edo, Ondo, Rivers and others were not operating same commission as an interim arrangement as wrongly claimed by Okirika.

His words: "Okirika was aware that DESOPADEC since it was established, has not been getting the approved 50 percent of the 13 percent derivation adequately provided by the law.

He never fought against it, so the issues now should be where are the unremitted funds and not any deceitful reformation to protect the interest of an individual."

He, however, thanked the Delta State House of Assembly for not passing the bill, which is completely the collective interests of host communities in Delta State.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

Crime

s

Photos and stories: Joy Anyim Ndudi

Mechanic in police net for murder 27 year old mechanic, Abimbola Azeez, alleged to have murdered a security guard identified as Tochukwu Ejike in Ijanikin area of Lagos is telling his story to the police.

The incident which happened at Divine bus stop, on Saturday May 2nd about 8:30 pm, was incidented at the Ijanikin police division, but has now been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Interrogations Department (SCIID), Panti.

Daily Times gathered that on that day of the incident, the suspect was called by one Mr. Oloku, a customer and friend he has known for three years, to repair his generator set.

Reports have that the suspect who had been chased out of his rented apartment since 2001 due to a fight he had with his girlfriend, has since been squatting from place to place. He had also called Mr. Oloku to accommodate him for some time.

However Abimbola who got to the Olokus in the morning carried his belongings along. Unfortunately, he met the wife who informed him her husband had gone out.

According to reports, Azeez did repair the generator, dropped his belongings with Mrs. Oloku and went out to see

some friends.

Unknowing to him, his fate has been decided by the Olokus; when he got back in the evening, Mrs. Oloku asked him to pack his belongings and leave their house.

Azeez claimed that Mr. oloku had also instructed his wife to pay him N500 as fee for the generator he repaired.

It was while he was taking his leave that he ran into Tochukwu, a security guard who threatened him with a dagger and in self defense, he took the danger from the guard and stabbed him on the belly.

The Osun State born Ikire indigene speaks narrated his experience. “I went to Divine bus stop to repair Mr. Olokun’s generator. Before then, I had called him to allow me squat at his place while I look for a place to rent a house. On getting there, Olokun was not at home; I met the wife, repaired the generator and dropped my things with her then went out to hustle and also to see a friend, Mr. Kanayo.

“When I came back in the evening and was told l cannot stay in olokun’s house, I packed my things and was walking down the road when I heard someone saying, ‘go back’. I ignored the voice and just kept going gently on my own. The person ran

closer and the next I felt from behind was a plank on my back; l turned to know who it was and he turned out to be a security man; he brought out a dagger and threatened to stab me if I don’t go back.

“In self defense I over powered him, took the dagger from him and stabbed him in the belly. He fell to the ground and people who tried to make peace started beating me that l had

stabbed someone. I was only trying to defend myself.” He said.

The police at the SCIID told our correspondent that the suspect is in their custody and will arraign him in court after they complete their investigations.

Ejike

Trailer driver faces murder charges

Azeez

Detectives at the State Criminal Investigations and Interrogations Department (SCIID) Panti are currently interrogating one Tunde Azeez, a 33 year old trailer driver of Billy Jones Company over the alleged murder of his friend and colleague, Lukmon Ayedun.

Daily Times gathered that the suspect and the deceased had a disagreement over eating the food bought by the suspect and the disagreement degenerated into a fight during which Lukmon was stabbed to death.

The incident which took place at the Amuwo Odfin area of Lagos at about 8:42 pm on Sunday was first reported at the FESTAC Police Division before it was transferred to SCIID. Tunde who hails from Ogbo-

mosho in Oyo state tells how it all happened. “I am a trailer driver since 2009. On the day of the incident, Lukmon was sleeping in the room when I went out to buy my dinner.

Upon returning from the food vendor, he was still sleeping.

But out of care and consideration I decided to wake him to at least join me to take dinner.

I did not know that waking him up from his sleep was going to infuriate him. As I tried to shake him awake, he took it as disturbance.

“And like one who had been provoked in his dream, he started punching me. I thought it was all a joke and I even asked him if he was mad. He became even more aggressive; he picked up the chair in the

room and hit my head with it.

That was when I also got angry and reacted in like manner. We pushed each other outside the room and started fighting outside.

“He ran to the store where we pack bottles and broke one on my head; he also stabbed me on my hand. Out of anger I also ran to the store, picked my own bottle, broke it and stabbed him on the head. He then threw the bottle he was holding away and went to pick another one. It was at this point that I rushed to the commander of the garage, Sir K, to come and intervene in the matter as it was getting out of hand.

“He rushed to the scene of with me, and seeing that we CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

27 Crime

Girl, 15, gang-raped, slaughtered in abattoir Okechukwu Onuegbu 17 days after 15 year old Odinakachukwu Andrew was allegedly massacred by unknown butchers at a local slaughter house in Umunne Ato autonomous community in Eziala Ngulu, Aboh Mbise Local Government Area of Imo State, police are still groping in the dark for the heinous murderers.

Shock and disbelief still hung over the village when Daily Times visited the community about an hour’s drive from the State Capital.

Reports had it that on April 19th 2015, a Sunday, Odinakachukwu was allegedly abducted from her mother’s house located beside Aboh Mbise Divisonal Police Office at exactly 3:12 a.m. and slaughtered like a cow in the community abattoir which, ironically, shares boundary with the local police station.

Our correspondent gathered that the deceased had just graduated from Casita Maria Secondary School, enrolled for her General Certificate Examination (GCE) at Ikwuado Secondary School. Our source revealed that the girl at the time of the crime resides with her mother at a rented apartment in her maternal village, Umunne Ato, Eziala Ngulu, due to some family crises that separated her parents for a while. Her father hails from Irunato Umunam.

The story in the village and from what the police could deduce was that about 7 masked armed men invaded the compound of the woman and forced open the door of the room where Odinakachukwu, her siblings and mother were sleeping. While some of the marauders drew the girl outdoor, others stayed back and raped her mother.

As the rapists joined their gang who had been beating the

poor girl outside, they shot sporadically into the air as they dragged Odinakachukwu away.

No one responded to the shouts for help from the small family because of the gun shots.

Thereafter, our source added, the cries of Odinakachukwu and lights beaming from the torchlight of the miscreants trailed the footpath leading to the community abattoir.

The corpse of the late girl was later recovered from the abattoir, around 8 a.m. same day,

by Nigeria Police Officers who were informed by a member of Neighbourhood Watch, an Imo State local community vigilante.

Our correspondent located the mother (name withheld) who is suffering from partial stroke triggered off by the shock and brutal experience from the incident. Expectedly, she managed to deny ever been raped, and claimed rather that the hoodlums hit her mercilessly with their gun booths.

Our source who promised to provide pictures of the girl’s corpse was unsuccessful as the police had moved it away before he could do so, but it was gathered that the victim’s skull and some vital parts were missing at the time of recovering of her from the abattoir.

At Aboh Mbise Divisional Police Office, our correspondent was told that the DPO was not available for comment but was directed by an officer on duty to the Imo State Police Area Command at Owerri.

Several attempts to get word from the command was unfruitful as the relevant authorities to comment were unavailable.

Confirming the incident however, the Traditional Ruler of Umunne Ato autonomous community, Eziala Ngulu, Aboh Mbise, Eze Leo Nkwocha (Eze Ochako Arugwu 1), lamented

Odinakachukwu

that the ugly incident could have been averted if there was enough security men and security gadgets to man all the nooks and crannies of the community.

His words: “You know that one person cannot be everywhere; but I am surprised because as a

TRAILER DRIVER

Danger on Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi

I really regret my action-Azeez CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

were both bleeding seriously, he instructed some of the guys around to take the two of us to the hospital for treatment.

Lukmon sat on one bike and I on another; but just before the bike could zoom off to the hospital, Lukmon fell from the bike and gave up.”

Tunde who is married with a child speaks further on his

action. “I did not stab him to kill him. I really regret my action. He has always been my good friend and we have lived together for almost five years.

I really do not know what just came over him that day.” He said tearfully.

As at press time, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu was unavailable to confirm the incident.

duty, I patrolled the neighbourhood on that day but there was nothing suspicious to warn of any impending danger.

“All the ten years I have ascended the throne of my fathers in this community, this kind of heinous crime has never hap-

pened,” he lamented.

HRH Nkwocha, however, noted that two people directly connected to the girl have been arrested to help the police for further investigations, stressing that everything will be done to bring the culprits to book.

A-check by Daily Times showed that one of the suspects currently in police net is the late Odinanachukwu’s boyfriend, whose name could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

According to the mother of Late Odinakachukwu, Odinaka’s boyfriend absconded with her daughter and co-habituated with her for over two weeks before she was able to locate them and brought Odinaka back. “I advised the young man to meet the girl’s father and do the necessary things, and this is what has befallen us. It was only three days after Odinaka returned home that they killed my daughter,” she wailed.

The relationship between the living Romeo and slaughtered Juliet, Daily Times further learnt was initiated by a girl in her early 20s, Ugoma, who lived with her parents in the same apartment of four rooms.

Miss Ugoma, Daily Times gathered, had been away from the house for almost a month to the day of the murder, although she allegedly sneaks home to see her mother every night. However, Ugoma’s mother was said to have told the Police that she knew not the whereabouts of her daughter.

When our reporter visited the apartment recently, no single soul was found; all the occupants have deserted their respective rooms, including Odinakachukwu’s mother who now lives in another village away from her former residence.

Gbubemi God’s Covenant Snr.

The manhole

Daily Times features desk yesterday witnessed an accident averted by the mercy of God at the Ashabi Cole Street junction off Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

A manhole, right in the middle of the road had its cover removed by unknown persons. Motorists who have escaped running into it have called on the Ikeja Local Government Area office to make

hast to avoid a disaster that could happen any moment.

The street lights around here are not functional, and the traffic light at the junction do not beam enough light to reveal the dangerous trap in the night hours.

Calls have been made to the Ikeja LGA office with no responsible response coming from officials.

A timely intervention will save lives.

A stitch in time, saves nine.

28

Friday, May 8, 2015

EXTRATIME

Mourinho enters Benteke’s race

T

he newly crowned Premier League champions, Chelsea want the in-form Aston Villa striker, Christian Benteke to strengthen their front line this summer ahead of next season’s title defence.

Benteke has been in sensational form for Aston Villa since the arrival of head coach Tim Sherwood, scoring 11 goals in his last nine games in all competitions.

And now Mourinho is keen to supplement his strike force with the signing of the Belgium international.

Mourinho was interested in bringing in Wilfried Bony during the January transfer window but was unable to sign both the Ivory Coast international and Juan Cuadrado and elected to push ahead with the

Grow up, Beckenbauer urges Gotze

B

ayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer has hit out at Mario Gotze, urging him to “grow up” if he wants to succeed at the Bundesliga champions.

The 22-year-old has won back-toback Bundesliga titles with Bayern since joining the club from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2013, but has yet to develop into an undisputed

signing of the Colombian.

That paved the way for Manchester City to complete the signing of Bony during the winter, but the Chelsea boss is determined not to miss out on Benteke.

Mourinho has been impressed by Benteke’s powerful playing style and sees him as a front man similar to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, while at 24 he is yet to reach his prime.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is a huge admirer of Benteke and is also likely to pursue the Belgian this summer.

But Goal understands Villa will demand over €40 million for the striker and Mourinho is confident Chelsea will be able to fund a big-money deal for the striker, who would share responsibilities with Diego Costa. starter for the Allianz Arena side.

Gotze was benched for Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat against Barcelona after he was previously already dropped for the DFB-Pokal semi-final against Dortmund and Beckenbauer has now criticised Germany’s 2014 World Cup hero’s attitude.

“He behaves and moves around on the pitch like a youth player. He just stops moving when he loses a duel. This is the behaviour of a child,” Beckenbauer said.

“This kind of behaviour does not fit in at Bayern. It is time for him to grow up.

Messi

does things nobody else can do

–Iniesta

Messi

A

ndres Iniesta has voiced his admiration for Lionel Messi in the wake of his superb performance in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Bayern Munich in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg.

The Argentina international was the star of the show as he helped Barca to a vital home win with two goals and an assist in the final 15 minutes of the encounter at Camp Nou. Iniesta has nothing but praise for his team-mate, saying the side are lucky to have him.

“Leo Messi does things that nobody else does. I take my hat off to him once again,” Iniesta said.

“We are lucky to be able to enjoy having him. He makes us happy.”

The Spanish midfielder then went on to voice his delight with Wednesday’s victory, but stressed that they cannot afford to get carried away.

“We tried to control the ball, but we knew they’d want it too. Our effectiveness in the last few minutes is what decided the game.

“We know what football is like. This is a semi-final against Bayern. Nothing has been decided yet because there are still 90 minutes to go and we’ll have to get things very right in Munich if we want to play the final.

Tottenham ‘open’ to Bale’s return

T

ottenham are ‘open’ to a White Hart Lane return for Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, with head coach Mauricio Pochettino revealing: “We keep his place warm back here”.

Bale has come in for criticism during his second season with the European champions, and his anonymous performance in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat to Juventus this week saw him attract further negative attention.

“If he is not comfortable in Madrid, we keep his place warm back here,” said Pochettino, who arrived at Tottenham after Bale had secured a world record switch to the Santiago Bernabeu. “We are open for him!

“It is, of course, not easy when you arrive at a huge club like Real Madrid, and the way they play. Gareth Bale has the quality to make a success, he just needs time.

“When Zinedine Zidane went to Real Madrid, the first season was very difficult for him, with a lot of critics. He needed time to adapt.

“The cultures are very different between England and Spain. I think here it is better to develop your passion in your job as a player or manager, but in Spain, for the weather, for the culture, it is difficult to adapt when you come from England. He just needs time.”

Friday, May 8, 2015

EXTRATIME

29

Flying Eagles Emordi

s e l g a E g Flyin

to access Prozone match analysis software Stories by Mike Otanwa

T

he Flying Eagles and Super Falcons of Nigeria may both be set for better show at their respective FIFA World Cups in New Zealand and Canada, as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), have said that the newly acquired Prozone match reading analysis software will also be available to both teams.

Speaking, an executive committee member of the NFF, Dilichukwu Onyedinma says the software will not be restricted to the Super Eagles, but would rather be available to all national teams.

“The software is not just for the Super Eagles,” she said. “It’s for all the national teams. First of all it is a property of the Nigeria Football Federation and therefore will be made available to the all the

national teams.

“So that means the Super Falcons will also have access to it, and so also are the Flying Eagles, so it’s not just for the Super Eagles,” she adds.

There was so much euphoria that greeted the acquisition of the software a couple of weeks ago, with the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick positing that it will go a long way in helping the Super Eagles coaches during match analyses.

Pillars coach,

Emordi, under pressure

P

ressure is mounting on Kano Pillars head coach Felix Okey Emordi, following the team’s recent string of poor results.

Emordi is set to be subjected to a torrid time by a section of the fans, who are ready to turn on him as the reality and pain of a string of losses sets in, especially after Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Shooting Stars in a Nigeria Professional Football League showdown.

It was the third successive loss for Pillars after their League defeats to Heartland FC (1-0) and Kwara United (1-0) in Ilorin the previous weekend.

A section of the disgruntled fans were overheard in Ibadan chanting in Hausa: “the coach should be fired!”

Sources close to the experienced coach told SL10

Flying Eagles to face three Bundesliga U-23 sides

Iwobi in action

Gattign heaps A praises on Iwobi A rsenal U-21s manager, Steve Gatting, has nothing but praises for Alex Iwobi, following his game-winning performance against Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday in the U-21 Premier League.

The recently turned 19-year-old is in the form of his life, with five goals in his last six matches in the league, including a hat-trick against Stoke

that he is not worried with the prospect of being fired.

“As a professional I cannot go into details, but we have some internal problems that have contributed to the team’s recent poor results,” an official of the club said.

The official also stated that he was not worried with their loss to Shooting Stars saying the team failed to make use of a plethora of chances they created.

“We had chances, but we failed to make good use of them. I am absolutely certain that we will turn the table,” he said.

The management are reportedly set to meet on Friday (today) when they are to recommend that the coaching panel should be given a fourgame ultimatum.

The officials said they would go back to the drawing board and chart the way forward.

City U-21s early April.

Iwobi, a former England youth international, has excelled for Arsenal in recent games in terms of goal scoring because he has been playing a more advanced attacking role and the Gunners coach confirmed as much in his post-match comments. ‘’Alex played No. 9 against Brighton and he is a huge threat,’’ Gatting said.

‘’He gets in good goal scoring positions but I guess it was one of those goals where it was more difficult to miss.’’

In 23 outings for Arsenal’s youth teams this season in all competitions, the Anglo-Nigerian has notched up nine goals.

Alex Iwobi has captained the Arsenal U-21s in each of their last four games in the Premier League.

s they continue preparations for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the Flying Eagles will play three tune-up matches against the U-23 teams of German Bundesliga clubs Hoffenheim, Nurnberg and Freiburg, it has been confirmed.

The Nigeria U-20 team will take on the Hoffenheim U-23’s on May 12 in Hoffenheim with kick-off time slated for 3pm, which is 4pm Nigerian time.

Three days later they will tackle the U23 team of Nurnberg at their training ground in SudwestPark in Nurnberg by 4.30pm.

These two matches will be able to give coach Manu Garba and his assistants the chance to run a final rule over the players they will pick

for their final 21-man squad for the World Cup. Nigeria will submit a final squad to FIFA on May 15.

Their final tune-up match is scheduled for Freiburg against the U23 team of Freiburg on May 19 by 2.30pm.

The team is due to fly out to New Zealand via Australia from Germany on May 23.

The fixture list is as follows: Flying Eagles Vs Hoffenheim May 12; Flying Eagles Vs Nurnberg May 15; Flying Eagles Vs Freiburg May 19.

They will play their first match of the competition in New Zealand on June 1.

30

Friday, May 8, 2015

EXTRATIME

La Liga

to shut down over TV rights row

Mourinho

Madrid top list of most valuable clubs

R

eal Madrid have retained their place as the most valuable football team in the world for a third straight year, according to Forbes.

The reigning European champions’ value has dropped five percent to $3.26 billion (£2.13 billion) this year, but their $746 million (£489 million) revenue is the highest of any sports team in the world.

Rivals Barcelona are second in the 2015 list with a value of $3.16 billion (£2.07 billion) after a one percent drop, followed by Manchester United at

$3.10 billion (£2.03 billion), who, unlike Real and Barca, recorded 10 percent increase in value from last year. Bayern Munich are fourth at $2.35 billion after a whopping 27 percent increase in value.

In addition to Real’s record take-in, Forbes estimates revenue for 201314 was $657 million (£431 million) for Barcelona, $703 million (£461 million) for United and $661 million (£434 million) for Bayern Munich.

Value is estimated using April 22 exchange rates and revenue with average rates for the 2013-14 season.

Forbes’ top 10 most valuable teams of 2015:

1) Real Madrid $3.26 billion (£2.13 billion) 2) Barcelona 3.16 billion (£2.07 billion) 3) Manchester United $3.10 billion (£2.03 billion) 4) Bayern Munich $2.35 billion (£1.54 billion) 5) Manchester City $1.38 billion (£905 million) 6) Chelsea $1.37 billion (£898 million) 7) Arsenal $1.31 billion (£859 million) 8) Liverpool $982 million (£644 million) 9) Juventus $837 million (£549 million) 10) AC Milan $775 million (£508 million) Premier League teams accounted for eight of the top 20, with Tottenham ranked 13th, Newcastle 18th and West Ham 19th.

LFP plans action to block Liga strike

T

he Spanish Football League (SFP) will take legal action against the Spanish Federation over its plans to suspend all domestic competitions indefinitely from May 16.

The federation (RFEF) announced on Wednesday evening that it would halt football in the country later this month over a dispute regarding government interference in the league’s television rights.

The LFP, which will hold an extraordinary general assembly on Monday in the hope to avoid the proposed strike said in a statement: “Regarding the decision adopted

by the RFEF’s General Assembly to indefinitely suspend all football competitions at every level, the LFP states that it has taken the corresponding legal actions in defence of the rights and legitimate interests of the clubs, as well as the rights of the competitions that it organises and that have been grossly affected by the aforementioned decision by the RFEF. “The RFEF’s decision is null and void by law... given that the sports law and the current co-ordination agreement attributes to the LFP the right to organise professional competitions and approve the sporting calendar of those competitions.”

categories starting from May 16 indefinitely.

“At the same time, once more we reiterate the RFEF is open to dialogue with the Spanish government.”

If there is no resolution to the dispute, the key May 17 title clash between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid would fall victim to the stoppage as would the concluding weekend.

The Spanish Cup final, set for May 30 between Barcelona and Athletic

Weekend Fixtures

T

he race for Spain’s La Liga title faces a chaotic conclusion after the country’s football federation said on Wednesday it would cancel all domestic matches in a row over TV rights.

The proposed shutdown called by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) will first affect the penultimate round of fixtures due to take place on May 17.

The RFEF said in a statement it will “suspend competitions of all

SATURDAY MAY 9

Premier League Everton v Sunderland Villa v West Ham Hull City v Burnley Leicester v Southampton Newcastle v West Brom Stoke City v Tottenham C. Palace v Man United Ligue 1 Caen v O. Lyonnais Bordeaux v Nantes Evian TG v Reims Metz v Lorient Rennes v Bastia Toulouse v Lille Bundesliga B. München v Augsburg Borussia D. v Hertha BSC Borussia M’gla… v Bayer Leverkusen Hannover 96 v Werder Bremen Eintracht Fran… v Hoffenheim Stuttgart v Mainz 05 Serie A Juventus v Cagliari Milan v Roma La Liga Granada v Córdoba Barcelona v Real Sociedad Real Madrid v Valencia Athletic Club v Deportivo

Things can’t get any worse for AC Milan

Mexes

Bilbao, would also not take place.

The new TV deal signed into law on April 30 by the Spanish government was seen as a means of helping loosen the financial stranglehold of Barcelona and Real Madrid, the two giants of the Spanish game.

Under the new government plan, announced last week, the tradition of clubs being allowed to negotiate their own TV deals would end.

Instead, the rights would be auctioned just as they are in England’s lucrative Premier League.

SUNDAY MAY 10 Premier League Man City v QPR Chelsea v Liverpool

Ligue 1 Lens v Montpellier Saint-Étienne v Nice O. Marseille v Monaco Bundesliga Paderborn v Wolfsburg Köln v Schalke 04 Serie A Chievo v Hellas Verona Palermo v Atalanta Udinese v Sampdoria Cesena v Sassuolo Empoli v Fiorentina Parma v Napoli Lazio v Inter Eredivisie Utrecht v Excelsior Feyenoord v Vitesse AZ v NAC Breda Willem II v ADO Den Haag Go Ahead v Heerenveen Ajax v Cambuur PSV v Heracles Groningen v PEC Zwolle Twente v Dordrecht La Liga Levante v Atlético Madrid Villarreal v Elche Almería v Málaga Celta de Vigo v Sevilla

–Mexes P

hilippe Mexes believes things can only get better for AC Milan as the team approach the end of a disastrous 2014-15 campaign.

The San Siro side have dropped to 11th spot in the Serie A table, after last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Napoli and another tough task awaits tomorrow when they host Roma.

Mexes has urged his team-mates to take the positives from the loss to Rafael Benitez’s men, though, and keep working together in order to overcome their difficulties.

“Our situation is very delicate but it cannot get any worse and now we have to take what was good from Napoli and go forward. We had the right spirit in that situation and with that sort of spirit we can get a few more points,” Mexes said.

“We have to show the same spirit as we did at Napoli where we went 60 minutes without conceding a goal despite the fact that we were a man down after thirty seconds and we had to face a penalty.

Friday, May 8, 2015

EXTRATIME

31

Federer piles pressure on Nadal Federer

R

oger Federer has piled the pressure on rival Rafael Nadal after claiming he is the clear favourite to win the Madrid Masters. Nadal has yet to find his best form so far in 2015 after winning just one ATP title in Buenos Aires.

The Spaniard will return to play in front of his home fans as he tries to win his fifth title in Madrid.

His run to the semi-finals at the Monte Carlo Masters will give him some confidence and he has resorted to using his old racket

CRICKET

after some poor performances.

Novak Djokovic beat him in Monte Carlo but the world number one will take a short break this week and so Federer is adamant that Nadal is the man to beat.

He said: “My focus this week will be on my own game rather than the field or Novak not being here.

“I still believe Rafa is the favourite at this event even though he may not be playing his absolute best tennis in recent times, but it is Spain, it is Madrid, where he has won in the past.”

ATHLETICS

IPL GAME: Yuvraj rues Delhi Daredevils, loss

A

fter rediscovering his form with a stroke-filled half century, Yuvraj Singh rued that his team Delhi Daredevils could not deliver the knock-out blow on the Mumbai Indians, despite reducing the hosts to 40 for 4 and lost the crucial IPL cricket game.

“We had them (reeling) at 40 for 4. We should have won the game from there, but we didn’t pick up wickets,” said Yuvraj at the postmatch press conference after MI won by five wickets with three balls to spare at the Wankhede Stadium.

“I think after the rain came, the dew set in and the wicket got better.

There was no spin. I think it worked to their advantage. No doubt they played well. But from 40 for 4, you should win games from there,” he added.

Yuvraj, who made 57 off 44 balls - only his second half century this season, complimented rival skipper Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu for the manner in which they guided MI from the rut and took them close to the winning target of 153.

TENNIS

D

espite the drop in rating from IAAF World Challenge to Area Permit, the Ponce Grand Prix will have several big names in action on Saturday, May 23.

The men’s 400m features American world champion LaShawn Merritt. Representing the new breed is world junior champion Machel Cedenio of Trinidad & Tobago with multiple global medallist Jeremy Wariner (USA) on the other side of the spectrum.

Triple jump star and World champion Caterine Ibarguen of Colombian will test herself in the long jump against American Janay Deloach and Brazilian Olympic winner Maurren Maggi, who is in her final season.

In the 400mH, Javier Culson will hope for his second home win in a row. His competition includes American Jeshua Anderson and Omar Cisneros of Cuba.

BOXING

PACQUIAO’S

surgery a success

F

ilipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao had surgery on Wednesday on his injured right shoulder, coming through with flying colours, according to Dr Neal ElAttrache.

ElAttrache, of the Kerland Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, said he couldn’t be more pleased with the results and fully expects Pacquiao to resume his boxing career, a Pacquiao spokesman said.

The operation followed

Top athletes to feature at Ponce Grand Prix Machel Cedenio of Trinidad & Tobago expected to feature at Ponce Grand Prix on Saturday, May 23.

Pacquiao

Pacquiao’s 12-round unanimous decision loss to Floyd Mayweather on Saturday in Las Vegas in the most lucrative fight in boxing history.

The super-fight cemented unbeaten American Mayweather as the top pound-for-pound fighter of his era.

But Pacquiao’s camp revealed after the fight that the Filipino had suffered a rotator cuff tear in training camp which he aggravated early in the bout.

Features

Sayana Press, contraceptive of life...or death?

Business Wapic’s 5yr-plan targets industry top spot

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How to be smart with your money (2) Tunde Oyedoyin Financial Intelligence

ÎÎÎ

As I was saying last week, I didn’t suspect anything, much less think I was standing in front of a smooth operating conman.

As courtesy demands, we exchanged glances and he reached out for handshake. After the exchange of pleasantries, in the moderately packed train that afternoon, this chap went straight to business, starting with the question: “Are you a believer ?” Almost as soon as I answered in the affirmative, I became suspicious of what he was up to. Thinking he could be recruiting disciples for a terror group, I quickly asked him, “believer in what?”

He then began to narrate how he had come from Leeds to London on a day trip and that, having recently declared his Christian faith openly to his big brother, the latter had stopped supporting him and had actually sent him packing. To cut a long story short, he said

he needed £10 from me to complete the fare for his return journey to Leeds.

Though I didn’t tell him I didn’t believe his narrative, I just made it clear I couldn’t help. He went a step further and gave me the option of paying the money directly to National Express, the bus company. I shook my head to indicate ‘ no’ again, just before we both got off two stops later. Did I judge him wrongly, I doubt it.

Reason being that his behaviour and plan B after my refusal indicated that he was an experienced con artiste.

Assuming I may have judged him wrongly, we’ll all do that at some point. The key thing is knowing when not to part with your money is but one aspect of being smart with it. Let me make it clear that being smart with your money doesn’t mean you’re always suspicious or don’t trust people – far from it. Rather, it just means you’ll develop the ability

to read between the lines when people tell you all manner of stories.. In fact, asking just one question may even make their story fall flat before they finish telling it. But don’t get me wrong, majority of those who are smart with their money are the most generous, but they can still discern when stories don’t add up.

I’ve heard people say the reason they have nothing or don’t have much in life is because they are so generous and just can’t refuse anyone.

While being stingy has nothing to do with being smart with your money, please wake up to reality if your alibi for having no clues as to how to fund your kids’ university education is because of your -lousy - generosity. You can’t claim to be smart with your money without keeping some back to look after your own immediate family. Yeah! Never forget that charity actually begins from home. Just last week, this paper reported

that Anambra State governor, Dr Willie Obiano has decided to henceforth give his monthly salaries to the needy with immediate effect. Really inspiring. One of the reasons he gave was that what he earned while still in the private sector is enough to look after his family.

Now that we’ve laid the foundation, so firstly, to be smart with your money, you must go through your bank statements every month end or the first day of a new month.

Thankfully, the month is just a few days old, so pull out your bank statements and go through your transactions for April and see if you’re happy with all your outgoings.

Just as some will make you glad, you may feel like pinching yourself with how you spent some.

Before explaining why this is key to being smart with your money, have you come across anyone who’s always complaining that “I don’t know how my salary just goes

away.” Well, before you moan about what’s been happening to your salary, go through your last three months bank statements.

You should know why afterwards. Remember last week’s opening quote by Nobel winning physicist , Albert Einstein?

In other words, if you want to know where your salary goes each month, then you have to do something different - go through those statements again, from your bank. If, according to them, you’ve been spending your salaries paying bank charges, then you know you can’t continue doing that. Never let any month go by without creating the time to go through your bank statements. Sir Richard Branson wrote of a time – or habit – when he decided to sign every single cheque leaving his business. Wonder why he’s a billionaire? ...To be continued.

Yours truly

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotlines: 08169118913, 08075038528

Life&

TIMES Friday, May 8, 2015

Africa magic

launches Igbo channel in Enugu L6

P

Mercy

Aigbe-Gentry On movie making and keeping her home

L2

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday May 8, 2015

is really killing us

- Mercy Aigbe-Gentry Mutiat Alli Edo state born star actress and proud mother of two, Mercy Aigbe-Gentry is no doubt a household name in the movie making business. Not only is she an actress, she is also a movie producer as well. The fair skinned mother of two who also doubles as the CEO of MAG DIVAS, a fashion and beauty outlet is also one of the most sought after actress. The

that the wait will be worth the while . But for now my major focus is on my new movie which will be premiered in the UK, US and Nigeria.

Are you likely to make Osas Omoge Benin into a television series in the I am working towards preparing to go on set for the part two of the movie and then we can take it up from there.

What inspired your fashion and

current project, work, family and sundry issues

I have been up and doing, shuttling from one location to another, managing the affairs of my business and keeping my home as a wife and mother What project are you currently working on? have my movie, Victims, shown in the cinema. It was directed by Imaseun Lancelot and it stars Nolly-

Not really. It is 40 per cent Eng-

How do you relax when you are not working?

I spend quality time with my family. I take my two children out or I go somewhere exotic with my husband because I am romantic at heart. So, any time I am off work, I try to bond with them.

I will say my love for fashion because I love to look good and get compliments for looking good as well.

your husband?

What is your take on actresses going into other ventures besides

he is my father, my love and more importantly my baby as I am fond of calling him.

He is a caring and loveable person and the best thing that has ever happened to me.

investing in business ventures because pirates are gradually killing us and I want to implore the government to come to our aid, to enforce more laws so that the perpetrators do not go unpunished.

Will the issue of pirates stop you

Saheed Balogun, Seun Akindele, ers. It is blockbuster movie and I am sure my fans and movie lovers will like it.

are just wonderful. They are my source of joy and inspiration. Let me say here also that I am more matured now in handling things the way it should be because I have also got a matured husband.

ity because when you invest so much in a at the end of the day and somebody out there is busy making money off your sweat, it is frustrating.

How are you able to juggle being an actress, a movie producer, a wife and a mother and still come out

Style simple means the ability to dress comfortably and still look sexy and nice. I believe the way you dress is the way you will be addressed. Also one thing about me is that I like to combine several colors of my choice and I when I storm red carpets, fans and friends are usually like; “Mercy I strongly believe that the way we dress should go with your age bracket.

What is the secret to your youthful I take very good care of myself. I drink lots of water at the right time. I eat a lot of vegetables and I try as much as possible to stay away from foods with high calories.

scripts on set; Yoruba and English. I am It a lot of hard work but the lord has been of speaking Yoruba but because of the way the script was written, she did not have to speak much of Yoruba language.

at all. I try as much as possible to manage my home front as a mother and a wife.

my facials, massage, and body exfoliation.

Even without make-up I still look good and fabulous.

What is your view about aging

It is personal but basically because I have worked with him on several movie ing to direct a Yoruba movie and he quickly accepted. It was a huge challenge for him but he overcame.

Life&

T E A M

When do you hope to release the second part of Everybody keeps asking me but believe me sincerely, we are currently working on it. My fans should exercise patience and

Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng 08029030427

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani o.ogunjimi@dailytimes.com.ng 08126223784

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli m.alli@dailytimes.com.ng 08115557378

As a mother, will you encourage

Well whatever she insists on doing, I will be there to encourage and give all the want to be an actress because she is more on the reserved side .

Will you say you are enjoying every bit of motherhood?

Yes I am because I have got the best husband whom I call my baby and my kids

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye i.ogundoye@dailytimes.com.ng 08069489893

I think you should age gracefully as you are expected to glide into it. I am not afraid of aging but so many people are because they are afraid they may not have the will power to continue to look stylish. I am goin getting old before I fade out. When you see my mother, then you will appreciate nature because she looks younger than her present age.

Photography Quadri Olowolagba q.olowolagba@dailytimes.com.ng 08029745478

Graphics Austine Agbovi a.agbovi@dailytimes.com.ng 07060402397

Daily Times Nigeria Friday May 8, 2015

L3 Celebrity’s Best

9

Mercy

Aigbe-Gentry’s Mutiat Alli

1

What is your favourite food?

-

nitely be my best choice

4

A pair of jean and a T-shirt. It allows me show a bit

best

7

2

Favourite colour?

Blue.

What about your favourite drink?

I love Fanta

5

Favourite television personality?

I love so many of them but insisting I mention one, that will be Ebonylife TV boss, Mo Abudu.

8

Favourite Car? I love cars. I will say the Acura MDX is my favourite car.

3

Fashion fetish?

item I love, I love them all; shoes, bags, wigs, everything!

9 6

Favourite holiday spot?

I love the Bahamas but for the sake of my kids so that they will be happy reading this, it would be Florida.

What will you not be caught dead wearing?

That will surely be spiky clothes

Music Gists L4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday May 8, 2015

Opeoluwani Akintayo

otz h s 2 is coming back!

D’banj returns to court today The court case against the Kokomaster, -

-

D’banj -

-

-

-

-

2shotz

MC Galaxy signs two new acts on his record label

New act to watch, Cude

MC Galaxy

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Cude

New album alert!

Davido on stage with 50 Cent at the SLS pool party in Las Vegas to celebrate boxer, Floyd Mayweather‘s victory against fellow boxer, Manny Pacquiao.

Lord of Ajasa- The Spirit

-

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday May 8, 2015

L5 Movie Gists

Mutiat Alli

Lizzy Anjorin warns married Celebrities storm Biodun women to stop the hate Okeowo’s store opening Top Nollywood celebrities led

by Iyabo Ojo stormed the grand opening of Biodun Okeowo

Lizzy Anjorin Kofo Tinubu star actress, Lizzy Anjorin has denied any allegation of involvement in a recent husband snatching saga from London based Olawunmi Shorunke Gbadamosi, that has been circulating on popular online platform, stelladimokokorus. Ironically, after taking time to dig deep and get to the root of the matter, Life &Times can authoritatively disclose that the tales are false, as a and wife to Olayinka Gbadamosi, popularly known as Wese Peckham, who denied any truth to the tale currently enjoying media buzz as well as distancing herself from being the one who circulated the news much less, tell the said blogger to put it up on her blog. She added that her marriage was indeed intact as no actress (Lizzy Anjorin) snatched her husband from her. The man in the middle of the whole saga, Wese equally

Olawunmi Shorunke Gbadamosi denied the romance tale as he described the actress as a good friend whom he assists whenever she comes shopping in London. In his words, “We are just business partners and my wife and my entire household.”

The well orchestrated lie began when Lizzy who traveled to London to stock up on the goods she sells in Nigeria, got help from Wese in freight forwarding the goods back to Nigeria.

The receipt for the goods which he handled for her was also made available to Life & Times.

Reacting further, Lizzy Anjorin noted that married women who allege that she is a husband snatcher should be careful as any more falsely cooked up stories will not be tolerated. “I feel so about me. For the record, if you accuse of me of dating your husband next time, I will go as far as marrying the husband” she said.

Iya Rainbow makes cameo appearance in Faleela

Victoria Beauty store opening.

Anchored by Comedian, nessed a series of activities with Iyabo Ojo kicking it off with an opening prayer. There was also a dancing competition among the actors and a host of others.

The newest CEO, Biodun Okeowo, disclosed that having seen the trend with women wanting to look good and attractive, was what prompted the opening of the store to enable her teaming fans get every beauty kit they desire at an affordable price.

It is important to note also that the star actress owns the popular wine store, Vicasho. Other colleague of hers who came to felicitate with her were Lola Idije, Funke Etti, Opeyemi Ayieola, Iyabo Ojo, Sikiratu Sindodo, Mercy Aigbe-Gentry, Fathia Balogun, Regina Chukwu, Fuji star, Malaika, Bimbo Thomas, Tope Bali, Lola Abuta, and Liz Da Silva amongst several others.

Biodun Okeowo

Biodun Okeowo, Funke Adesiyan and Bimbo Thomas

Mercy Aigbe gears up for Hair show Omoge Benin star actress, Mercy Aigbe-Gentry has announced to fans to come out en mass as she

Veteran actress, Idowu Philips popularly known as Iya Rainbow has made a cameo appearance in Hypertek star, Dammy Faleela where she played the role of mother, a very strict disciplinarian. Iya Rainbow has joined the league of celebrities with like Babatunde Omidina (Baba Suwe) in Solid

state between 16th-23rd May, 2015. The motive behind the show according to Mercy, is to enable friends, customers and colleagues in the industry, an opportunity to transform their old hair extensions and turn them into beautiful custom

she said. amongst others, who have made cameo appearances in music videos.

Iya Rainbow

Dakore Akande inspires mothers Nollywood actress and ambassador for Amnesty International, Dakore Akande through her media platform,

Mercy Aigbe

My woman will enjoy sex with me Antique star actor, Seun Akindele has hinted that his soon-to-be wife will enjoy more sexual activities from

challenges she faces as a parent on a daily basis as it concerns digital media, new technology and television.

Recounting her experience in the cause of nurturing her children, the actress divulged that her children are now monitoring several programmes ranging from musical videos and shows to mention but a few. Advising mothers, the actress urge parents of the need to be prepared to contend with a lot these days as, telling them to be

Dakore and baby

cially and emotionally, then you are on the verge of losing her. In as much as I like curvy ladies, I will be there dies, be prepared for Seun, if you are the lucky one, sex at all times and at every corner will be your main staple.

Seun Akindele

Movie Gists L6

Daily Times Nigeria Friday May 8, 2015

Mutiat Alli

Africa Magic fetes stars in Enugu; celebrates launch of Igbo channel

Genevieve, Onyeka Onwenu, others join women empowerment

L-R: John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria; Patience Ozokwor; Wangi MbaUzoukwu, Regional Director AfricaMagic West Africa and comedian Bright Okpocha during the launch of AfricaMagic Igbo held at DE DOME Event Place, Edward Nnaji Street, New Haven, Enugu on Thursday 30th of April, 2015.

On Thursday, April 30th, 2015 , Africa world class African entertainment, hosted a ebrate the new Africa Magic Igbo channel.

Hosted by ace comedian and Nollywood

for Africa by Africans. We are renowned for tertainers a platform to show the world what they can do.

Nollywood

with the traditional and symbolic breaking of which held at The Dome, had in attendance, tenacity in making sure the Africa Magic Igbo

early Igbo language content. Veteran enter-

neth Okonkwo, Clem Ohameze and Francis Duru amongst others were present at

the Regional Director, M-Net (West), Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said: “Africa Magic is re-

ONE Africa Executive Director, Dr. Sipho S. Moyo (in native attire in the middle), ONE Nigeria Country Representative, Mr. Edwin Ikhuoria (Last Right) and ONE members at the Nigerian launch of ‘Poverty is Sexist’ as part of the African Union Year of Women Empowerment, a campaign and online petition on www.one.org/sexistcalling on world leaders to put girls and women at centre-stage in 2015. It held recently in Abuja

neth Okonkwo in the opening prayers and the new channel to produce rich and enduring Igbo content. performances by an Igbo traditional troupe and stellar performances from artistes in-

songs.

Opeyemi Ayeola bounces back

actress,

Gen-

eran singer, Onyeka Onwenu, Why Girls and Women Must colleague Omotola JaladeBe at the Heart of The Fight to - others. The campaign was launched at a policy forum that call on world leaders on the was attended by representaneed to take urgent action toahead of the establishment of the post-2015 sustainable Children Nigeria among others. in hand, whether you look at A recently released report by health, education or work.

MC Ayanfe rocks Ogun State at maiden edition of Laff Xpress rising comedian and compere, Abel Oladokun otherwise known as MC Ayanfe, was birthed on May 1, 2015. The show which was powered by MTN Nigeria, commenced at about 6pm and ended three hours later, but not without implanting memories of amusement and delight into the audience who came out en mass to watch at the

Nollywood actress, Opeyemi Aiyeola is back with a bang as she was recently alongside Muyiwa Ademola, Jide was directed by Okiki Afolayan. It would be recalled that the actress

was turned into a den of cracked ribs as they reeled out

with her husband and kids, featured Onilara,

Baba eleshin among others, before she relocated.

Opeyemi Ayoola and Funso Adeolu

MC Ayanfe

giant is poised to see that it helps upcoming artistes

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday May 8, 2015

L7 Music & Movie Review

Mutiat Alli and Opeoluwani Akintayo

TIMAYA: SANKO

A perfect street groove!

I love the opening scene- those legs rocking that old school pair of shoes, and then comes the funny looking guy dressed in a complete yellow suit, dabbing his face and lips with a yellow face towel, and swinging his huge briefcase! Enough to get you cracking from the beginning.

The raggae beat is quite catchy, something different from the kind of music Timaya has been known for, The galala dance steps is just on point- those dancers killed it.

ankle boot and then his dark sunshade are just perfect enough to make him look like a street dude.

Timaya killed the song with his voice ranges and then, the drama in the video could serve as a comic relief any day any time.

Artiste: Timaya Running Time: 3:24 Sec Producer:

Unforgiveable Dayo Amusa makes a lasting expression

-

violence against women, the deadliest cancer disease and marital issues at large where Dayo was able to portray the true act of forgiveness.

intrigues from the beginning to the end. It was a seamless transition of characters, plots and even the emotion that the soundtrack evoked was heartrending.

delivered. breaking the news of cancer to a patient did it without emotion, in fact, she looked very happy.

Credibility should however be given to Dayo for her efforts in making the characters tell the story themselves with more ac-

Produced by: Cast: Mike shaves off Dayo’s hair for the movie role Mike Ezeronye and Dayo Amusa

Casts studying script

Director: Desmond Elliot

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Daily Times Nigeria

Friday May 8, 2015

L8 Television Showing on

Showing on

117 Universal Channel

111 M-Net Movie Star

06:35

00:05

Thu, 7 May | 13

Thu, 7 May | PG13V

101 M-Net

A man who neglects his family is visited by a heavenly being who takes away everything from the man. Now homeless,

roommate from college stays at the house to recover from a breakup, and everyone at the house seems to want a piece

his ways. Mark Webber, Jasen Wade. (2012) Rob Diamond

James Widdoes

118 Telemundo

120 BBC Entertainment

128 SONY MAX

00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 02:10 Labour Of Love 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love

03:05 Time Of Death

00:30 The Weakest Link

06:00 The Middle 15:10 The Weakest Link

10:20 Labour Of Love 12:00 Queen Of Hearts

10:30 Mom

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

14:30 Labour Of Love 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 15:30 Two And A Half Men 04:30 What Went Down 10:20 Deal Or No Deal 20:20 Queen Of Hearts

21:30 Miranda

155 AfricaMagic World

22:50 Labour Of Love

06:15 Video Zonkers 06:40 Video Zonkers

154 AfricaMagic Family

11:00 Tinsel 11:25 Video Zonkers

12:00 Music

11:55 Video Zonkers

13:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas

12:25 1000 Ways To Die

14:00 Prem

12:55 1000 Ways To Die

00:00 Tinsel 00:30 Living With Trisha

12:00 Jara

15:00 Making Of A Mogul

12:30 Jara

01:30 Making Of A Mogul

14:55 The Treasure Hunters

04:30 Prem

02:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas

14:25 What Went Down 16:40 Video Zonkers

04:00 Music 05:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas

16:30 Living With Trisha

06:00 Agony Of The Prince 15:00 Kakibe Ki

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

NCS Journal

N1

s

Determining sustainable port logistics operation in a developing economy Dear Readers, Welcome to our bi-weekly shipping journal on maritime issues.

This edition has quiet a pot pourri of insightful professional knowledge on port development.

We bring you a research paper by Prof. Princewell Owualah, a Professor of Transport Economics and Logistics, Titled “Determining Sustainable Port Logistics Operation in a Developing Economy”.

The ports is known to be the gate way and essential to the development of any countries economy.

Moving goods and people from one place to another is critical to maintain strong economic and political ties between regions. The relevance of transportation to the country’s national development has progressively increased over the years with rapid population growth, urbanisation, agriculture and industrial development.

Like I say, competitiveness must become part of maritime operations in Nigeria,that must be done to ensure best practices and professionalism.

The Nigerian Maritime sector needs to position itself as the Hub of Maritime trade in Africa. We are not where we ought to be but definitely, we are not where we used to be.

As usual we have our distinguished training programs, The ABC of Shipping and The Understanding Cabotage & Local Content in the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry training workshop scheduled for the month of June 2015. Our novel PGD and Certificate Programme in Maritime/ Oil & Gas has kicked off at the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amasoma, Bayelsa State. Financial Institutions, Oil companies, Maritime Organisation and Government/ Public sector organizations are enjoined to grab the opportunity with both hands.

We are just poised to positively affect our Shipping and Logistics sphere of business in the quest to strongly support the development of our National Economy. We welcome and encourage you to send in your relevant topical articles.

Please join our boat. Welcome!!!

Ify Anazonwu-Akerele Director General

Tincan island port

Effective cargo handling system for a port requires that terminal operators, freight forwarders, ports authorities and other stakeholders provide modern and efficient cargo handling equipment, consolidation facilities, storage facilities etc to ensure discharge and loading, operations must be carried-out fast to achieve just-in-time principle of logistics and inventory handling system of companies. One very important aspect which is indispensable and must be effective and efficient for the cargo handling chain to work properly is the “equipment” aspect. It requires that cargo handling equipment and gears must be functional and in shape, not only that, for a port system to be modern and achieve customers target with respect to cost and time of Cargo handling in ports, modern Cargo handling equipment must be in place. Training of the local manpower on the use of the equipment must also be a routine task because availability of modern equipment requires that skilled man power with sound technical know-how on the operation of each and every cargo handling equipment must be available to run the equipment.

Such Cargo handling equipment that must be available and properly manned to improve the shipping economics and productivity of a ports system include but not limited to the following: Operational challenges There is always high cost of

doing business in Nigeria ports as well as delays continually witnessed over the years in ports operations all over Nigerian ports this has been attributed to poor Cargo handling systems and equipments in use in the various ports.

Cases of Cargo losses while in the ports, damages and breakages to cargo during stevedoring (handling) are all problems which have affected negatively the cargo and vessel handling capability of the Nigeria ports over the years.

The research in line with the above challenges, identified the following specific problems.

1. There is the problem of use of aging, bad and dilapidated Cargo handling equipment like cranes and forklifts by terminal operators in ports in the loading and discharge of cargo which lengthens handling time, causes damages and in severe cases pollution and port congestion.

2. There is the problem of lack of professional trained skilled manpower on the use of modern Cargo handling equipment, thus, useful man-hours are lost in the port and terminals due to use of unskilled manpower in operating modern equipment.

3. There is the problem of lack of understanding of how the Nigeria ports have fared over the years in their ability to handle cargo of various types.

4. There is the problem of poor documentation system and high cost of handling Cargo through Nigeria Ports.

Cargo handling role of a port The primary functions of a port are the loading and discharging of cargo and transfer of same. These activities remain the lifeline of ports operations as these operations are performed simultaneously during the operations of the overall cargo handling system (B.C Ndikom, 2006).

This chapter examines various literatures that have been written in the area of cargo handling operation, port throughput and the variable that aids for effectiveness of the system to yield all the benefits desirable. It starts by following the historical background of the research problems, then a review of related literatures by looking at their contributions to cargo handling operations and port cargo throughput.

Objective of effective cargo materials handling management systems Having explained the concept of cargo/material handling and management systems as covered in the introduction of this study.

This study, posits that the main objectives of materials management is to plan, acquire, coordinate, direct and using all logistics requirements to achieve just-intime applied concept.

Material and logistics management according this study cover the following headlines: a) Logistics Planning and Scheduling

b) Purchasing and Expediting c) Material Handling d) Inventory Control e) Warehousing f) Value Engineering and Value Analyses a). Planning and Scheduling: This involves preplanned determination of quantity of materials to be purchased and shipped at a time, with right documents prepared before hand to facilitate quick clearing from customs, shipping agents and port authorities, with special emphasis on ”Lead time” b). Purchasing and Expediting: This has to do with sourcing for cargo/materials far and near-international markets where materials can be sourced at minimum possible cost. The cost reduction aspect is important in material sourcing to help reduce cost of material handling. c). Material Handling: Transportation, Packaging, Insurance or Transfer of material from sources to port and delivery plant/warehouse. d). Warehousing: Emeghara (2004) also noted that warehousing should be the most important cargo handling operations which the ports and shipping logistics stakeholders cannot afford to overlook in order to safeguard logistics, stakeholders cannot afford to overlook in order to safeguard materials from loss due to pilferage, robbers, fire hazard, sorting out easily etc.

» Page N2

NCS Journal N2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

Cargo handling operations and trends

Cranes at cargo handling site

Emeghara (2002) is of the view that Cargo handling operations is the loading of goods which includes raw materials, finished commodities and all moveable items; and the handling system comprises the equipment in use ad all methods employed in the loading and offloading/ discharging operation. The methods of working must ensure not only economic efficiency but also safety of operation in which no efficient distribution can take place without appropriate cargo handling.

According to I.I. Buxton (1987), every cargo handling system consists of a number of readily identifiable elements. This is a source and a sink between which materials are transferred; there may be quayside storage area or a ship hold. Then there is the material itself which may any form such as dry bulk trade, bulk liquid trade, general cargo and unitised cargo.

Finally, there is the medium by which the material is transferred which in practice may be manual labour or specially designed equipment or a combination of two. In an efficient system, all of three elements must be properly matched.

The earliest efforts to increase

handling rates were concentrated mainly on the last mentioned element, the transfer medium. They led to the development of a wide range of mechanical equipment.

Cranes, conveyors etc which had substantially improved loading and discharging rates respectively especially of homogenous (usually bulk) cargo.

General cargo handling however, has not benefited “to such a great extent from such development. In the liner trades, the principal impediment to high handling rates has always been the large variety of packages used for general cargo, so that significant improvement has only become possible by reducing the number of different forms in which goods are presented for shipment. Thus it is only with the adoption of unitization that general cargo carriers have achieved high transfer rates and been able to take advantage of handling techniques similar to those which have been developed for homogenous cargo.

Port operations and cargo security Port operations includes all activities for ensuring the movement of cargo from the arrival of the vessel at the port, discharging

of the goods, internal mobility and to the eventual movement of same cargo out of the port by a known mode of transport to its destination. Over the years, the unfolding trends and relevance of shipping activities worldwide have been seen as vital trade enable operational facilitation to a developing nation’s economic prosperity and growth. It is pertinent to note that shipping is the pivot of development and growth in any economy, developed or developing. This is because a buoyant seaborne trade is often a reflection of a buoyant economy. Despite the tremendous contribution of maritime transport, which could be seen as the major channel for sustainable movement of people and growth of socio economic developments, the sub sector cannot be described as healthy. However, the present level; of operational performance of the sector in the part of the globe can still be improved on, to achieve the necessary growth impetus. The fact that maritime transport is central to growth, development and civilization, the attendant transformation is not appreciated in Nigeria as it is in many advanced nations (Ndikom, 2006). Maritime transport is the potent ingredient for the socio-

economic and political development of any sector/nation.

The sophistication and complexity which characterizes maritime transport in the modern world are the result of very long and sustained efforts by policy makers and stakeholders in the sector to improve on one of the most fundamental because life involves active movement, trade and exchange activities which reflect various initiative that sustain society, hence competitive ports and maritime transport activities are inevitable part of life (Ndikom 2008).

The maritime industry is a highly technical, professional competitive, critical and complex industry, which is labour and capital intensive. Also cargo is a critical factors in the survival of the ports the system. The notion “No cargo, No port” is to support and emphasis the relevance of cargo to a port system. Terminal operations would not be possible without the movement of cargo through the port. Thus, it is important that there is a syndicated security plan for movement so that the port can be viable and competitive. In this time and age when port security plan and management are almost at zero level, in terms of performance appraisal, there is need to synthesize strategies for securing cargo so that importers and exporter can have confidence and hop in maritime activities.

All over the world, port terminal and cargo security is often a subject of controversy in terms of how loose or tight the security arrangements are in a given terminal. This is because coverage over some imported and exported cargo have not, at any time, justified the existence of some port terminals, especially those in Nigeria. In this part of the world, the port system is rather porous in terms of cargo safety and security. It is common knowledge that cargo no matter the form has not been secured by any known domestic conventional rule or regulation which the international maritime business, has been associated with. It is also known that terminal operations and cargo security management in Nigeria were some time ago subject to the whims and caprices of loose security operatives.

It is common knowledge that the issue of safety and security of our seaports all over the world are obvious and the height of the unseriousness to that was indeed seen in the terrorist attack on the U.S.A. This attack shook the world as everyone was surprised that such could happen in the

U.S. with all their sophisticated equipments. This attack ignited the desire and obvious need for some safety measure. The maritime community then opted for SOLAS- (Safety of Life At Sea) amendment act that eventually transformed the concept called ISPS code. It is an “IMO policy initiative that ignited as a result of the terrorist attack on US grounds and how it significantly connotes some specific measure to enhance the maritime security and safety process at both the port and ship.

Some of these measures include: (a) Government should; i.

Approve the recognized security organization required. ii.

Carry out port facility security plan (PFSA) and set security levels as appropriate etc. (b) Company should: i.

Appoint chief security officer ii.

Ensure all their ships have ship security officers and an approved ship security plan. iii.

Prepare declaration of security if appropriate etc. (c) Port facility should: i.

Appoint port facility security officer ii.

Achieve the statement of compliance of a port facility iii.

Prepare declaration of security document etc.

Importance of cargo handling Cargo handling operations is very important in ports. Examining its relationship to economic and socio activities (which are directed to production, distribution and exchange of wealthy cargoes, such as raw materials for building of factories, houses transportation, track, road construction and installation of plants, exploration and mining of materials etc) without effective and available cargo handling will only remain on the drawing board of such projects.

Also the transportation of world resources to meet human necessities in the forms of food, clothing, shelter, etc is dependent on cargo handling.

The fact is that the cargoes have to load for conveyance and unload at the required place of need using appropriate equipment and methods.

» Page N3

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

The majority of ports in develop countries at present provides only conventional break-bulk facilities and occasionally has to handle unit loads.

Many ports have already been mechanized through the introduction of the pallets as dock tools or through the use of mechanical handling equipment such as tractors and trailer unit, mobile cranes, fork trucks or various design and capability etc. The necessity to handle large quantities of heavy units load does not yet rise but no infrequently the conventional ships calling at the port carry a limited of containers, flats or other types of unit load. Clearly, the port will have to cope with a steady increase in the amount too insignificant for consideration of specialized facilities to handle this particular portion of the general cargo trade.

The situation described above is extremely common in many developing ports and it is certainly true, instead of increasing productivity and throughput, this unit load especially containers actually decrease the productivity and cause severe disruption of the routine port operations. Most Nigerian ports fall in this category of developing ports mentioned above. For instance, the Lagos ports complex which happens to be the largest sea port in West African sub-region is operating the conventional berths it inherited since mid-tenth century except for the expansion and development of few specialized berths in the past decades. Majority of the cargo handling in the ports is done through manual ship derrick (quay).

G. de Monie (1975) recommended that in handling a mix of break-bulk cargo and small number of unit load, the ports basic infrastructure will have to be utilized in its present state. Thus the conventional general cargo remains the base for the operation, and attention of the traffic department should be concentrated on the mechanical handling equipment that will allow a speedy and cost effective flow of the unit loads through the berth system. The capital investment should be kept to a minimum and should be capable of easy maintenance by the port engineering services.

He also added that because the changing port environment affects the status of the dock workers, it is important to improve personnel policy if specialized unit load facilities are to become workable proposition. The management effort in this respect should concentrate on four major areas.

1. Training of specialized (drivers of mechanical equipment, mechanical and civil engineers, traffic controllers’ etc.).

2. Advanced planning of the la-

N3 NCS Journal

CMA-CGM breakbulk cargo

Impact of unitised cargo system on ports in developing countries bour and staff requirements with a regular revision of the require quote.

3. Gradual conversion of the status of the dock worker from a casual to permanent working force.

4. Development of a payment system based on time incorporating adequate social security provision.

Port handling facilities With the complexity of modern ports and the increasing cost of manual labour, mechanical aids have been developed. The main purpose of all such appliances is to speed the turn round time of ship theory reducing cargo handling cost and increasing port throughout. Many millions of foreign currency has been spent on floating quayside and mobile crane, mechanical and magnetic grabs, and pneumatic plants for handling cranes, conveyor belts, pumping equipment for bulk liquids and a host of smaller dockside equipment such as forklifts trucks, portable stacker, mobile conveyor belts shutting tractors and a variety of electric and petrol; driven run about frocks with or without trailers. Care must be taken to use these equipment to maximum advantages but its unloading capacity must be related

to the share reception facilities.

Clearly cargo must not be discharged at a rate faster than it can be cleared into land vehicles of the dock area. The width of quays, availability of roads, type of transit sheds and number of lines of railway track, must be considered in relationship to the speed of unloading, however owing to the great variety of general cargo, it is difficult or impossible to adopt any form of standardization which means that in planning for such mixed classed of traffic, there must be a compromise.

In the process of unloading therefore, available facilities are used to the greatest effect according to the merchandise being handled (R.W. Faulk, 1977).

Wolf Hard (1989) identified port problems in developing countries as under capacity, insufficient cargo handling and berthing facilities and expertise and the use of outdated infrastructural. In most developing countries, port suffers from inadequate berth capacity compared with the number of vessels that requires the berths. Most ports still use obsolete gearing and handling equipment that are inadequately maintained. More so, unreliable and inadequate statistical data collected by ports administration is an-

other problem militating against the efficient port planning and operation in developing countries.

The result of under capacity and others highlighted, subsequently leads to congestion of many ports in the world especially the developing countries.

Usually the type of cargo carried and the nature of packing used determines the type of handling equipment to be used.

Development in the shipping industry has resulted in machined methods of cargo handling. Bulk cargo such as grains, sugar, coal etc are subject to mechanical handling and if the equipment is properly utilized to cover capital charges and interests, then it will speed up the output in return. In the case of bulk cargos, handling facilities are always in the form of propelled conveyors or belt usually fed at the hand word end by a hoper (a large container on legs) or grabs which may be magnetic for one handling and fixed to a high capacity trucking crane. These gantries move not only parallel to the quay but also run back for considerable distance and conveying a large stacking area. Elevators are usually used for grains. These may either be bucket elevators or the suction types which suck the grain out of the ship hold R. E.

Thomas (1989).

Furthermore, the handling of liquid from tankers is done by means of pipeline connected to the shore tank while pumping equipment is provided by the tankers storage plants or refinery ashore. Due to the risk involved with this cargo, it is necessary to provide special berths some distance away from the main duck system on the Seward side. With general cargo, the tendency had always been towards containers and the system has firmly established that container cargoes are highly mechanized and has a lot of added advantage in cargo handling. However, some general cargoes are handled by cranes in the quay, floating cranes or by ships derricks. There is numerous cargo handling equipment which include the shiny which is used for wooden cases or bedded cargo.

When the cargo consists of heterogeneous collection of packages of different size weight and shapes; its loading and unloading is compared to the handling of bulk shipments, which usually present a very complex problem especially in the use of mechanized equipment. Cargo nets are suitable for mail bags and other similar cargo that is not liable to be crushed when hoisted. Heavy lifting beams are ideal for heavy and long articles such as locomotives boilers, or railway passenger coaches, while cargo trays and pallets are suitable for cargo of moderate dimensions which can be conveniently stacked such as cartons. Bags or crates (D. Badejo 1998).

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NCS Journal N4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 8, 2015

Types of cargo handling equipment The type of cargo handling is based on the type of good and generally, the choice of equipment is governed by economic and safety considerations.

Cargo handling operations involves the use of some equipment for loading and discharging of the cargo from the vessel and unto the vessel. The equipment can be mechanical equipment and also manual. As such, some of the mechanical equipments involves: cranes (mobile, stationary floating), ship gear, forklifts, straddle, carrier, conveyor belts, hand trucks, wheel barrows, etc.

Some auxiliary appliances are usually used in making up cargo sets for lifting by ships gear, cranes or fork lift. These appliances are called cargo handling gears and they include: For efficient and effective cargo handling operation, some safety certificates are provided in ports such as the safety equipment certificate which covers the inspection of life boats, life rafts, jackets etc.

Another type of certificate is cargo gear certificate for the safety of stevedores working in the ports and ships and it ensures the maintenance of winches, derricks, cranes and risk of death or injury through falling objects.

Equipment maintenance High technological equipments, call for close monitoring for it is to perform well. Close monitoring demands that repairs and maintenance be made when necessary. When the appraisal of the maintenance requirements of equipments are not made before it is purchased, but becomes problematic. The maintenance capabilities of the port should match with the immense investments in modern port facilities.

A minor electrical fault on a sophisticated floating crane for instance is capable of paralyzing the port operations for some considerable length of time.

J. I. Merville (1985) recommend-

ed two types of maintenance system, needed for effective use of port facilities. They are: 1. Preventive maintenance that should be carried out periodically to ensure equipments operates well and is in good condition.

2. The corrective maintenance which should be carried out when equipment is actually faulty.

Objective for equipment maintenance Doubia Bakare (1985) in his lecture titled “maintenance of port Infrastructure and superstructure” at the third African Port Symposium Abidjan, Cote D’ivoire, highlighted the following objectives for equipments maintenance in ports.

These are stated as follows.

I. Port equipment involves heavy investment, and these impose the necessity to maintain and keep in good shape the devices to ensure that they last corresponding to the expected depreciation period.

II. Improving the reliability of equipment maintenance aims at increasing its reliability (thereby reducing incidence of breakdown). This leads to a reduction in handling cost by particularly reducing the idle times of ships and avoiding underutilization of clock workers. Its reliability also improves the reputation of port and port community.

III. Increase the security of gear operators and quay personnel’s.

IV. Improves the efficiency and output of equipment through permanent consultations between the operator and the organism responsible for maintenance.

V. The corrective maintenance which should be carried out when equipment is actually faulty.

The cost of maintenance of ports equipment is very high nowadays let alone the cost of personnel’s to maintain this equipments. This possess very big problem to port management.

Cargo handling equipment

Data Presentation & Analysis Table A: Cargo throughtout handled in metric tons in eastern and western ports of nigeria in pre and post concession

YEAR

LAGOS PORTS

EASTERN

TOTAL (MT)

(WESTERN) (MT)

PORTS (MT)

1999

15,751,331

6,481,605

22,232,936

2000

19,230,496

9,702,384

28,932,880

2001

24,668,791

11,271,901

35,940,692

2002

25,206,380

11,780,861

36,987,241

2003

27,839,293

11,926,652

39,765,945

2004

26,907,075

13,909,872

40,816,947

2005

29,254,761

15,697,312

44,952,073

2006

31,937,804

17,235,520

49,173,324

2007

33,722,488

20,918,560

54,641,048

2008

41,385,973

23,806,946

65,192,919

Source: Nigeria Ports Authority Headquarters; Lagos.

Summary The research analyzed cargo handling systems and equipment and the role in improving shipping economics particularly in Nigerian ports and maritime industry, it particularly made use of cargothroughput and revenue generation figures from all Nigeria ports and terminals comprising the eastern ad western ports. Summarily, average throughput handled by the port per annum over the period 1999-2008 was 41,863,601 MT (Forty-Million, Eight Hundred

and Sixty Three Thousand, Six Hundred and One) metric tons. In comparison to the pre-concession annual cargo throughput of the ports this figure indicates an improvement in cargo handling systems and equipments in Nigeria as well improved shipping economics of the Nigerian Ports Systems.

The geometrical analysis shows a continuous annual improvement in cargo handling capacity and capability of the ports being highest and best in the year 2008 as show in the graph. The revenue genera-

tion potential supports the above claims and show that shipping economics improves with improvement in cargo handling systems and equipments in Nigeria as well as improved shipping economics of the Nigeria ports systems. The geometrical analysis shows that a continuous annual improvement in cargo handling capacity and capability of the ports being highest and best in the years 2008 as shows in the graph. The revenue generation potential supports the above claims and shows that shipping economics improves with improvement in cargo handling systems and equipments.

Conclusion There exists a correlation between cargo handling systems and equipments in port and the productivity and economics of the ports industry. The more improved, modern, effective and efficient the cargo handling and transfer system and equipment, the greater the productivity of the ports/shipping industry and vice versa. For improved productivity and economics of the Nigeria/ shipping industry therefore, use of modern and effective cargo handling systems and equipments must be enhanced.

Professor Princewill Ugo. Owualah, Ph.D.(Professor of Transport Economics and Logistics)

PILLARS

Poster!

GIOVANI DOS SANTOS

Emordi under pressure 29 to deliver

X2,3 Friday, May 8, 2015

Magnificient

Messi

X4 s k brea Guardiola’s heart

TV

rights row rocks La Liga

31

Pacquiao

undergoes successful surgery

X2

Friday, May 8, 2015

EXTRATIME

GIOVANI DOS SANTOS

RAMÍR

REZ

Friday, May 8, 2015

EXTRATIME

Personal Information

Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number: Youth career 2002–2006: Senior career 2006–2007: 2007–2008: 2008–2012: 2009: 2010: 2011: 2012–2013: 2013–Present: National team 2005: 2007: 2012: 2007–Present:

Giovani dos Santos Ramírez May 11, 1989 (age 25) Monterrey, Mexico 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) Attacking midfielder Villarreal 9 Barcelona Barcelona B Barcelona Tottenham Hotspur Ipswich Town (loan) Galatasaray (loan) Racing Santander (loan) Mallorca Villarreal

Mexico U-17 Mexico U-20 Mexico U-23 Mexico

About Giovani

dos Santos

Giovani dos Santos Ramírez (born May 11, 1989), often simply referred to as Giovani, is a Mexican footballer who currently plays for Spanish club Villarreal CF. He plays mainly as an attacking midfielder, but can also play as a winger and forward.

Giovani began his football career at a young age, being recruited by Spanish club FC Barcelona and played for their B team until age 18.

He made his way up the ranks, eventually playing for the senior squad, making his debut in 2007. After playing one season, he was transferred to Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 in search for more playing time. Though he would stay with the club until 2012, his time there was mostly spent away on loan, at Ipswich Town, Galatasaray, and Racing Santander, with varying degrees of success.

Tottenham eventually sold him to Mallorca in 2012.

After Mallorca’s relegation, he was sold to Villarreal in 2013.

Giovani was a member of the Mexican under-17 team that won the 2005 U-17 World Championship held in Peru. He made his debut for the senior national team in a 1–0 victory over Panama on September 9, 2007. He has represented Mexico at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. He was also a member of the team that won the gold-medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Giovani is the son of former Brazilian footballer Zizinho, who played for the Mexican football clubs América and León in the late 1980s. His mother, Liliana Ramírez, is a Mexican national.

Giovani has two brothers and two half-brothers; the elder, Éder dos Santos, used to play for América in the Primera División de Mexico as a defensive midfielder before retiring, and his younger brother, Jonathan dos Santos currently plays for Villarreal CF in La Liga.

X3

X4

Friday, May 8, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

BARCELONA

Salihamidzic warns Barca ...”you’re not in the final yet”

B

ayern Munich’s chances of reaching the UEFA Champions League final are not over despite a 3-0 semifinal first leg defeat away to Barcelona on Wednesday, according to former Bayern midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic.

The Germans succumbed to a Lionel Messi brace and a third from Neymar all within the last 13 minutes of the encounter at the Nou Camp.

But Salihamidzic, who won the Champions League with Bayern in 2001, has refused to rule out a comeback in next week’s return leg at the Allianz Arena.

“Always anything is possible with

Messi

Bayern,” said the Bosnian, who made 234 appearances for Munich between 1998 and 2007.

“We saw in the first leg of the quarter-final against Porto, Bayern lost 3-1 away but returned in the second leg to win 5-1.

“It really is impossible to believe and I know we have a very big problem with injuries, but Bayern is Bayern and always anything is possible.

“The players need the confidence to believe they can still make the final. They have nothing to lose now and will try everything to beat Barcelona at home. We will see how many they score, but it’s certainly not over.”

Barcelona

hosts Sociedad tomorrow

S

Magnificent

Messi

leaves Guardiola undone

“M

essi devours Guardiola,” screamed the front page of Spanish sports daily Marca on Thursday as the Argentine won the battle of Barcelona legends, past and present, in a 3-0 win for the Catalans in the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.

Pep Guardiola could see it coming, yet was powerless to prevent it. Stop Lionel Messi? “Impossible,” he said

24 hours before the game.

“There is not a system or coach to stop talent of his magnitude,” he added, and so it proved as Messi struck twice and set up Neymar in the final 13 minutes to take Barca to the brink of next month’s final in Berlin.

On his homecoming to the Camp Nou after 11 years as a player and captain and then four more as the club’s most successful coach ever in

winning 14 trophies between 2008 and 2012, Guardiola tried his best.

An almost suicidal back three going man-to-man with Barca’s front three of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, who now have 111 goals between them this season, was ditched early on, but Bayern still displayed a bravado beyond almost any other side when faced with the daunting task of a rampant Barca at the Camp Nou.

till basking in its 3-0 win over Bayern Munich, Barcelona now needs to protect its lead in the Spanish league.

Barcelona leads Real Madrid by two points with three matches remaining, although the end of the season is now in doubt. On Wednesday, the Spanish soccer federation decided to suspend all league and Copa del Rey matches from May 16 in protest at a proposed law on the sale of television rights and the division of the income earned.

That could make this weekend’s matches even more important.

With both coming off Champions League games, Barcelona will host Real Sociedad tomorrow while Madrid hosts Valencia later in the day.

Barcelona closed in on a spot in the Champions League final on Wednesday, getting a pair of goals

from Lionel Messi in the 3-0 win over Bayern. Madrid lost 2-1 at Juventus on Tuesday.

Here are some things to know about this weekend’s matches: All the talk in Barcelona on Thursday was about Messi’s performance against Bayern.

The Argentina forward again showed why he is one of the best ever when he netted two goals to finally break through a defense Bayern coach Pep Guardiola had crafted to keep his former pupil in check.

Messi used a pinpoint strike to slot a shot between goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and the post to get the lead in the 77th minute. He bettered that three minutes later when a quick change of foot sent defender Jerome Boateng tumbling to the turf before he made it look easy as he chipped the ball over the Germany’s world champion goalkeeper.

We won the game but not the tie

–Enrique

B

arcelona were in no mood for celebration despite their 3-0 demolition of Bayern Munich in Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final, with the second leg still to come.

Lionel Messi put on another majestic performance for the Catalan club, scoring twice, but coach Luis Enrique has told his players they cannot relax ahead of the return leg in Munich next week against a Bayern team that hit back from a huge deficit against Porto to advance from the quarter-finals.

“In the last 15 minutes we won the game but not the tie,” Luis Enrique said. “In Munich we will not be speculating with the result.

“Getting into the Champions

League final is a very big prize and I am sure that the team will take the second leg as responsibly as they should.

“We are going to try to win the return leg and make our fans happy. We need their support and it will be harder over there Enrique because they will have their fans.

“We don’t see ourselves in the final yet.